Grade 3 Ankle Sprain

Grade 3 Ankle Sprain Symptoms

A grade 3 ankle sprain is the most severe and serious of the 3 different grades of sprained ankle. It occurs when the ligament is fully torn, causing a complete loss of stability in the affected joint. Because of the severity of the injury, a proper rehab program is critical to restoring ankle function and preventing future instability.

If you have a grade 3 sprain, the first thing you should do is get an x-ray to make sure you don’t have a fracture. If you do, your doctor will explain to you that the ankle will have to be immobilized for a while until the break heals. If there is no break, then you should begin a healing rehab program as soon as possible to repair the damage and get back to full health.

To begin, let’s cover the main symptoms of a grade 3 ankle sprain:

1. Complete tearing or rupture of ankle ligaments
2. Ankle is extremely unstable
3. Severe pain, bruising and swelling
4. It will be difficult or impossible to put any pressure on that foot (i.e.inability to walk)
5. Extremely difficult to move the ankle
6. Visible deformity in extreme cases

Can You Walk on a Grade 3 Sprained Ankle?

Initially, walking on a grade 3 sprained ankle is not recommended due to extreme instability and pain. However, with proper rehab, gradual weight-bearing can begin within a few weeks. The key is to follow a structured rehabilitation program that encourages movement while protecting the ligament from further damage.

Is a Grade 3 Sprain Worse Than a Break?

A grade 3 sprain can be just as bad—if not worse—than a broken ankle. While fractures heal by forming new bone, ligament tears require extensive rehabilitation to regain strength and function. Without proper rehab, a torn ligament may never fully heal, leading to chronic ankle instability and increased risk of future injuries.

How Long Does a Grade 3 Ankle Sprain Take to Heal?

The healing time for a grade 3 ankle sprain varies depending on the severity of the injury and the effectiveness of the rehabilitation process. On average, people who follow the standard protocols of rest and ice heal slowly and poorly… Without proper rehabilitation, recovery can take much longer, and the risk of chronic instability increases. Here’s a general timeline for recovery using rest and ice as your healing strategy:

First 4-6 weeks:

• Significant swelling and bruising begin to subside.
• Initial healing of torn ligaments starts.
• Non-weight-bearing or limited weight-bearing with crutches.

6-12 weeks:

• Strengthening and mobility exercises become essential.
• Gradual weight-bearing and walking are reintroduced.
• Swelling continues to decrease.

3-6 months:

• Ankle still feels weak and unstable, but the pain diminishes and allows for more movement.
• Return to sports and high-impact activities, but usually need an ankle brace or support for the ankle.
• Ankle is at a HIGH risk of re-injury.

However, people who follow an excellent ankle rehab program heal much better and faster:

First 5-10 DAYS:

• Significant swelling and bruising begin to subside.
• Initial healing of torn ligaments starts.
• Non-weight-bearing or limited weight-bearing exercises begin.

10-15 DAYS:

• Strengthening and mobility exercises become essential.
• Gradual weight-bearing and walking are reintroduced.
• Swelling and bruising start to decrease rapidly.

15-25 DAYS:

• Full recovery.
• Return to sports and high-impact activities.
• The ankle regains FULL strength, stability, and mobility. No need for ankle braces or other ankle support.

The Best Kind of Rehab Program for a Grade 3 Ankle Sprain

In order to achieve results like this, it is critical that the rehabilitation program for a grade 3 ankle sprain include:

• Progressive strengthening exercises: To rebuild ankle stability and prevent future sprains.
• Mobility work: To restore full range of motion.
• Balance and proprioception training: To retrain the ankle to react to movement and prevent missteps.
• Soft tissue therapy: To break down scar tissue and improve circulation.

The Importance of Strong, Healthy Ankles

Strong ankles are crucial for overall mobility, balance, and athletic performance. They allow for smooth movement, provide support during physical activities, and help prevent future injuries. Unfortunately, weak and unstable ankles from past injuries can significantly impact your ability to move naturally.

When ankle ligaments do not heal properly, they become more prone to instability and chronic pain. This can result in recurring ankle sprains, joint misalignment, and long-term mobility issues. The best way to ensure proper recovery is through a comprehensive rehabilitation program designed to strengthen the ankle and improve flexibility. Neglecting rehab can extend recovery time and increase the risk of chronic pain or re-injury.

Grade 3 Ankle Sprain Treatment

The most important thing to remember is that a grade 3 ankle sprain will not heal itself. There will be a lot of damage and if you do not proactively heal your ankle, it can stay weak and painful for years, or even life. There is a lot of research now suggesting that just one sprained ankle can have a significant impact on your overall movement if not fully healed. And since a grade 3 sprain is the most serious, it puts you at even greater risk for long term issues.

Remember, your ankle is the base of ALL your movement, so it is critical to heal it correctly to make sure your ankle and other joints work properly. And so, an ankle rehab program is the best bet to ensure a safe, healthy and full recovery.

In the beginning, you will need to take things very slowly and gently. There’s a lot of damage in the ankle and it will take some time to repair it. Even the slightest movement in the wrong direction can cause a significant amount of pain. One of the most important first steps is to try and get the ankle to relax a little bit. So, make sure your ankle is in a comfortable position for most of the day.

And, as a general note, we strongly recommend avoiding ice, unless otherwise suggested by your physician. A lot of research has recently come out showing that ice is great as a short term pain reliever, but terrible for healing your ankle.

It stops the flow of immune cells as well as shutting off lymphatic drainage. In other words, it slows down and can even stop the healing process, which can prolong your injury by weeks, months or even years. If you want to learn more about the issues with using ice for an ankle sprain, please click here.

The SECRET to Healing Fast

Here’s what we recommend to heal a grade 3 ankle sprain fully and quickly. Most importantly, you need a first rate ankle rehab program that does the following:

1. Remove swelling from the ankle by improving lymphatic drainage
2. Improve the flow of the first wave of healthy immune cells to remove waste
3. Encourage a second wave of immune cells to repair and regenerate healthy tissue
4. Reduce pain VERY quickly so you can move your ankle safely
5. Improve ankle stability for safe movement
6. Improve ankle strength for overall protection
7. Improve ankle mobility for healthy range of motion in the ankle joint
8. Improve balance, coordination and agility for increased athletic performance
9. Improve the ability to generate power in the ankles and calves
10. Decrease the risk of re-injury without ankle braces, wrap or tape

How HEM Heals Grade 3 Ankle Sprains Fast

HEM Ankle Rehab is a complete ankle rehab program designed to fully and quickly a grade 3 ankle sprain. It will accomplish everything stated above and more…

HEM dramatically improves the quality and speed of the healing process by supporting and improving the body’s natural response to an injury. You can expect a significant improvement in healthy range of motion in the ankles, feet and calves… you can expect much more strength and stability in the ankles… and you can expect improved overall movement (balance, agility, speed, jumping, etc.).

For a grade 3 sprain, the HEM Ankle Rehab program gets people walking normally again, pain free in about 10-20 days (instead of 3-6 months) and significantly lowers the risk of re-injury. That means you will not need ankle braces, tape or wraps. You will be walking, running and jumping pain free and with full power without the fear of spraining your ankles again.

Here’s how HEM Ankle Rehab works:

1. Encourages Active Healing Instead of Rest

• Traditional methods like R.I.C.E. focus too much on immobilization, which can slow down recovery.
• HEM Ankle Rehab promotes gentle movement from the start, which improves blood flow and delivers essential nutrients to the injured area, speeding up the healing process.

2. Restores Full Ankle Mobility

• One of the biggest risks after a sprained ankle is stiffness and limited range of motion.
• HEM includes targeted mobility exercises that help restore natural movement in the ankle, reducing long-term stiffness and improving flexibility.

3. Strengthens Ligaments and Muscles

• Weak ankles are more prone to re-injury.
• HEM focuses on progressive strengthening exercises that rebuild the ligaments and surrounding muscles to support the ankle properly.
• This prevents chronic instability and future sprains.

4. Improves Balance and Proprioception

• A major issue after an ankle sprain is poor balance and reduced proprioception (body awareness).
• HEM includes balance and stability exercises that retrain the ankle to respond properly to movement, reducing the risk of future injuries.

5. Uses Soft Tissue Therapy for Faster Recovery

• Scar tissue buildup can slow healing and lead to chronic pain.
• HEM incorporates soft tissue therapy techniques to break down scar tissue, improve circulation, and reduce inflammation naturally.

6. Speeds Up Recovery Without Ice or Compression

• Ice and compression can limit blood flow, which slows down the body’s natural healing process.
• HEM’s approach prioritizes active movement and circulation, helping the ligaments heal faster and stronger.

7. Can Be Done at Home with No Special Equipment

• HEM is an easy-to-follow rehab program that doesn’t require expensive treatments or medical visits.
• The exercises can be done at home, making it a convenient and cost-effective way to heal properly.

By following HEM Ankle Rehab, most people experience significantly faster healing, reduced swelling and pain, and stronger, healthier ankles—all without the drawbacks of traditional methods.

For more information, check out HEM Ankle Rehab here.