Have you ever sprained your ankle, assumed it would settle after a few weeks, then realised the discomfort never fully went away? Perhaps the swelling improved but your ankle still feels weak during exercise, aches after long periods of walking or suddenly gives way when you least expect it. If this sounds familiar, you are not alone.
While many ankle sprains recover without lasting issues, some can continue causing symptoms because healing has not progressed as expected. Understanding why this happens can help you recognise when ongoing discomfort may need further attention.
Dr Yung Shing Wai
Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon
Orthopaedic, Foot and Shoulder Surgery
MBBS, National University of Singapore (1985)
FRCSEd (General Surgery), Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh, United Kingdom (1990)
FAMS (Orthopaedic Surgery), Academy of Medicine, Singapore (1997)
What Happens During an Ankle Sprain?
An ankle sprain occurs when the ligaments supporting the ankle joint become stretched or torn. These ligaments are strong bands of tissue that connect bones and help stabilise the ankle during movement.
Most ankle sprains happen when the foot suddenly rolls inward, placing excessive stress on the ligaments along the outer side of the ankle. This can occur during sports activities, while walking on uneven ground or even during everyday movements such as missing a step.
The severity of an ankle sprain can vary:
- Mild sprains involve overstretching of ligament fibres
- Moderate sprains may involve partial tearing
- Severe sprains can involve complete ligament rupture
Although many sprains improve with appropriate care, the extent of the injury can influence how long recovery takes and whether ongoing symptoms develop.
Common Reasons Ankle Sprains Do Not Heal Properly
Recovery after an ankle sprain does not always follow the same pattern for everyone. Several factors may contribute to ongoing symptoms.
Incomplete Ligament Healing
Ligaments do not always regain their previous strength or stability after injury. If healing is incomplete, the ankle may remain looser than before.
You may notice:
- A sensation of the ankle feeling unstable
- Difficulty trusting the injured foot during movement
- Repeated episodes of the ankle turning unexpectedly
Returning to Activity Too Early
It can be tempting to resume exercise or sports as soon as pain begins to improve. However, healing tissues may still be vulnerable even when symptoms become less noticeable.
Returning too quickly may place stress on structures that have not fully recovered and potentially increase the risk of:
- Reinjury
- Persistent swelling
- Ongoing weakness
- Delayed healing
Recovery often involves more than waiting for pain to settle. Restoring strength, balance and ankle control can also play an important role.
Ankle Injuries That Have Gone Unnoticed
Not every ankle injury affects the ligaments alone. Sometimes additional structures within the ankle may be injured at the same time.
Examples include:
- Cartilage injuries
- Tendon injuries
- Bone bruising
- Small fractures
- High ankle sprains involving the syndesmosis
These associated injuries can occasionally produce symptoms that resemble a routine sprain, making them difficult to recognise initially. When symptoms continue despite treatment, assessment by a foot and ankle surgeon may sometimes help identify injuries that were not obvious during the earlier stages of recovery.
Signs That Your Ankle Sprain May Need Further Assessment
While some discomfort can remain during recovery, certain symptoms may suggest that further evaluation could be helpful.
You may wish to seek assessment if you experience:
- Pain that persists for several weeks or months
- Repeated ankle rolling or instability
- Ongoing swelling
- Difficulty participating in sports or daily activities
- Clicking, catching or locking sensations
- Reduced mobility
- Difficulty bearing weight comfortably
Persistent symptoms do not always indicate a serious problem, though they may signal that additional investigation is needed.
Treatment Approaches for Persistent Ankle Symptoms
Treatment recommendations for ongoing ankle symptoms depend on the underlying cause, severity of the injury and the impact on your daily activities.
For individuals experiencing a chronic ankle sprain or persistent instability, conservative measures are often considered first. These may include:
- Rest and temporary activity modification to reduce strain on the ankle
- Applying ice to help manage swelling and discomfort
- Physiotherapy programmes focused on improving strength, balance and joint control
- Medications such as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), where appropriate, to help relieve pain and inflammation
- Wearing an ankle brace or splint to provide additional support during recovery
If symptoms continue despite non-surgical treatment or if significant instability and structural injuries are identified, foot and ankle surgery may sometimes be considered. The aim of treatment is often to improve stability, restore function and help reduce the likelihood of future ankle problems.
Taking Persistent Ankle Symptoms Seriously
Lingering ankle symptoms can be easy to brush aside, especially when the injury seemed minor at the beginning. However, when symptoms begin affecting your confidence during movement or limiting activities you enjoy, it may be worth exploring whether there is an underlying reason behind the slow progress.
At SW Yung Orthopaedic Clinic in Singapore management approaches are guided by a detailed understanding of each patient's symptoms and treatment goals. Led by Dr Yung Shing Wai, patients benefit from extensive clinical experience and management plans designed to support both recovery and long-term mobility. If you would like greater clarity regarding persistent ankle concerns, schedule a consultation for guidance towards making more informed decisions about your next steps.
Meet Our Orthopaedic Specialist in Singapore
Dr Yung Shing Wai
Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon
Orthopaedic, Foot and Shoulder Surgery
MBBS, National University of Singapore (1985)
FRCSEd (General Surgery), Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh, United Kingdom (1990)
FAMS (Orthopaedic Surgery), Academy of Medicine, Singapore (1997)
Dr Yung Shing Wai is an orthopaedic specialist in Singapore with over 30 years of clinical experience and a particular focus on foot, ankle and shoulder conditions. He is recognised as Singapore's first fellowship-trained foot and ankle surgeon and was also among the first fellowship-trained orthopaedic surgeons in the country specialising in shoulder surgery.
After graduating from the National University of Singapore in 1985, Dr Yung obtained his Fellowship with the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh before pursuing sub-specialty fellowship training in Foot and Ankle Surgery and Shoulder Surgery at the University of Washington in Seattle. His extensive training has supported decades of experience in managing a wide range of musculoskeletal conditions and complex orthopaedic concerns.
