[3] The risk of a sprain is greatest during activities that involve explosive side-to-side motion, such as tennis, skateboarding or basketball.

[7] If ankle pain is persistent 6–8 weeks after initial sprain, MRI imaging of the joint can be considered to rule out peroneal tendon, osteochondral, or syndesmotic injury.

[citation needed] A less common type of ankle sprain is called an eversion injury, affecting the medial side of the foot.

High ankle sprains commonly occur from a sudden and forceful outward twisting of the foot.

This commonly occurs in contact and cutting sports such as football, rugby, ice hockey, roller derby, basketball, volleyball, lacrosse, softball, baseball, track, ultimate frisbee, soccer, tennis and badminton and horse riding.

Initial treatment commonly consists of rest, icing, compression and elevation (which is often referred to by the mnemonic RICE or sometimes PRICE with P being "protection").

[11] While nearly universally accepted as a treatment, there is insufficient evidence to determine its relative effectiveness as therapy for acute ankle sprains in adults,[12] and the National Athletic Trainers Association notes that most of the rationale for using RICE or individual components is based largely on low-quality clinical trials and laboratory studies with uninjured participants or animal models[13] Ice is often used to reduce swelling in cycles of 15–20 minutes on and 20–30 minutes off.

Recently, Gabe Mirkin, MD, who coined and popularized the acronym RICE in his The Sportsmedicine Book in 1978, no longer recommends "complete" rest or ice for healing a sprain.

"[20] The "current evidence does not support or encourage the use of Kinesio taping applied to the ankle for improvements in functional performance, regardless the population.

[22] The key to a fast recovery is to implement all the different types of ankle sprain exercises so that the range of motion will increase while the pain is decreasing.

[23] In cases where the ankle does not heal in an appropriate amount of time, other exercises need to be implemented so that strength and flexibility can be regained.

A short period of immobilization in a below-knee cast or in an Aircast leads to a faster recovery at 3 months compared to a tubular compression bandage.

[25] In contrast, a randomized controlled trial has concluded that appropriate exercise immediately after a sprain improves function and recovery.

Bed rest will help to accelerate the healing process and eliminate the chance of mishandling the affected limb.

Physical performance demands, such as cutting, hopping, and landing, involved with certain sport participation suggests that the rehabilitation needs of an athlete after LAS may differ from those of the general population.

Depending on the patient's goals, early dynamic training after an acute lateral ankle sprain in athletes can result in a shorter recovery time and reduced likelihood of reinjury[27] The amount of therapy that a person can handle will depend on their level of pain and the grade of sprain they experienced.

[29] To prevent sprains or re-injury from occurring, strengthening and stretching exercises should be done through a full range of ankle motion.

Flexibility exercises include a towel stretch[32] and writing the alphabet with the toes, which will increase the range of motion.

[35] Plyometrics exercises such as squat jumps and power skipping should not be implemented until the ankle has regained full agility.

[37] There are currently no published evidence-based criteria to inform RTS (return to sport) decisions for patients with a lateral ankle sprain injury.

Return to sport decisions following acute lateral ankle sprain injury are generally time-based.

More severe ankle sprains (Grades 2-3) involving a full tear or rupture could take more than a few weeks or months to fully recover.

[40] Ankle sprains can occur through either sports or activities of daily living, and individuals can be at higher or lower risk depending on a variety of circumstances including their homeland, race, age, sex, or profession.

In a review article of ankle sprain prevention research, the authors reference a season-long study on a group of soccer players.

[45] Another peer-reviewed article references a study which concluded that ankle exercising could decrease the risk of recurring sprains by 11%.

However, at a specific age range of 19–25 years old, males were found to have a substantially greater rate of ankle sprains than females.