What Grade is YOUR Ankle Sprain? A Podiatrist’s Guide

That sudden, painful roll of your ankle – it’s a common injury that can happen anywhere, anytime. The immediate question is typically:

 “How bad is it?”

The typical answer? “Depends on the grade!” Not all ankle sprains are equal; podiatrists classify them by “grades” based on the severity of ligament damage. In the following blog, Foot & Ankle Associates of Cleveland will give you the basics of each category, plus tips on how to handle them.

The Ankle Sprain Checklist: Identifying Grade

1. Grade 1 Ankle Sprain (Mild)

This is the least severe sprain involving a stretching or microscopic tearing of the ligament fibers.

• [✔] Pain Level: Mild pain and tenderness, especially when touching the area.
• [✔] Swelling & Bruising: Swelling is usually minimal, and bruising is often absent.
• [✔] Weight-Bearing: You can typically still walk on it, though it may be uncomfortable.
• [✔] Stability: The ankle joint should still feel stable.

2. Grade 2 Ankle Sprain (Moderate)

A partial, but more serious, tear of the ligament.

• [✔] Pain Level: The pain is moderate to severe, making it difficult to walk.
• [✔] Swelling & Bruising: Expect more noticeable swelling and bruising.
• [✔] Weight-Bearing: Putting your full weight on the foot is often too painful.
• [✔] Stability: You may feel a sense of looseness or instability in the ankle joint.

3. Grade 3 Ankle Sprain (Severe)

This is a complete tear, or rupture, of one or more ankle ligaments.

• [✔] Pain Level: The initial pain is severe, and you may have heard or felt a “pop” at the time of injury.
• [✔] Swelling & Bruising: Swelling is usually immediate and significant, often with extensive bruising.
• [✔] Weight-Bearing: You will likely be unable to put any weight on your foot.
• [✔] Stability: The ankle will feel very loose and unstable.

Why Knowing the Grade Matters (The Risk of “Walking it Off”)

Ignoring a sprain can prevent ligaments from healing correctly. This can lead to serious long-term issues like chronic ankle instability, leaving the area constantly “wobbly” and prone to repeated sprains that worsen over time.

The ongoing damage significantly increases your risk of developing painful ankle arthritis later in life!

Getting the Right Diagnosis

Don’t guess when it comes to an ankle injury. While this checklist provides clues, you cannot definitively self-diagnose an ankle sprain’s grade. A severe sprain can mimic the symptoms of a fracture, but our podiatrist can perform a thorough physical exam and utilize in-office diagnostic tools like X-rays to rule out a broken bone!

Call Foot & Ankle Associates of Cleveland in Solon, Ohio, at (440) 903-1041 or contact us online to schedule a consultation. Dr. Craig B. Frey, Dr. Megan L. Oltmann, Dr. Jim Swienconek, Dr. Rachel Robinson, and Dr. Courtney Yoder treat patients in Portage, Geauga, Cuyahoga, and Summit Counties, proudly serving Solon, Aurora, Bedford, Chagrin Falls, Hudson, Macedonia, and Twinsburg, too.