Can I Play Soccer With a Sprained Ankle?

If you’re reading this, then you either have a sprained ankle yourself or know someone who does. As frustrating as it might be for you to sit out because of an injury especially for soccer players, it’s crucial that you make the right decisions for your health and performance far into the future.

The question is whether you can play soccer with a sprained ankle.

Short answer: It depends on how bad the sprain is.

In this article, we’re going to break down what an ankle sprain is, the different grades of severity, and whether or not you should be stepping onto the field.

What Are Ankle Sprains?

Before you make up your mind as to whether you can play, it is important that you understand what an ankle sprain actually is.

A sprain of the ankle occurs when the ligaments that connect the bones of the ankle are either overstretched or torn due to a sudden twist, turn, or roll of the ankle.

This injury is one of the most frequent injuries in soccer, comprising about 16% to 40% of all injuries incurred in soccer.

The Three Grades of Ankle Sprains

Ankle sprains happen in three different grades, depending on the severity of the injury:

Grade 1 (Mild): The ligament is stretched but not torn.

The following are symptoms one may experience with this grade: some pain and swelling, but you can still walk, and in many instances, you will still be able to play soccer, although it will be painful.

Grade 2 (Moderate): A more serious sprain in which the ligament is partially torn.

You will probably have a lot more pain and swelling, and you might have some bruising. It may be hard to walk, and you might miss a game or two of soccer. But with the right treatment, you should be back on the field in several weeks.

Grade 3 (Severe): The ligament is completely torn, and you’ll experience severe pain, significant swelling, and an inability to walk.

Sometimes, the ankle may become unstable, and surgery may be required. You could be out for an extended period of time—maybe as long as 12 weeks or more.

So, what type of sprain do you have?

How to Heal a Sprained Ankle

Whether the extent of the injury was a mild Grade 1 injury or a more serious Grade 2 or 3 sprain, the standard-of-care method in terms of conservative management is the RICE method.

Rest: Stay completely off the ankle, putting no weight whatsoever on it. This is a time to let your body heal and minimize further injury.

Ice: Put ice on the injury for 20 minutes every two to three hours. This will help reduce some of the swelling and also numb some of the pain.

Compression: Use an elastic bandage or compression wrap, which will reduce the amount of swelling. Be careful not to wrap it too tightly, as that will cut off the flow of blood.

Elevation: Keep the ankle above the heart-at all times when sitting or lying down-to decrease swelling.

In addition to RICE, you may also need over-the-counter pain medications like ibuprofen or acetaminophen. For more severe injuries, a brace or walking boot will be used to keep the ankle immobilized during the healing process.

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Can You Play Soccer with a Mild Ankle Sprain?

You might be able to play through it if you have a Grade 1 sprain.

In all likelihood the pain and the swelling will be manageable. It won’t feel great, but it might not be debilitating. The common scenario is that players tape their ankles up and just push through the pain-mostly if it is a big game, or they feel like they are letting their team down by sitting out.

But even a mild sprain is something with which you don’t want to take any chances.

Soccer puts a great deal of demands on your ankles, with all the constant cutting and turning, sprinting and jumping. You play with a sprained ankle-even a mild one-and you invite further injury to transform the Grade 1 into a Grade 2 or worse.

The key here is to listen to your body.

If you can move comfortably, have good range of motion, and the pain is minimal, you might be able to continue playing.

But if there’s any doubt or instability, you’re better off resting.

What About Severe Ankle Sprains?

If it is Grade 2 or Grade 3, then that’s quite another issue altogether. You’re now looking at partial or full ligament tear, and to go ahead with soccer would be a lousy idea.

Why? Because the further stressing of the ankle will lead to further damage, slower recovery, or even permanent problems.

Let me ask it this way: Would you want to sit out for a few weeks or run the risk of being sidelined for months, or even worse, having chronic ankle problems that could haunt you for years?

I get it. You’re competitive, and missing games is just not an option, but allowing your ankle the time it needs to heal will keep you playing, period, for more seasons.

How Long Does It Take to Recover?

The recovery time depends on the severity of your sprain. Below is a rough breakdown based on the grade of injury.

Grade 1 Sprain

• Recovery Time: 1-2 weeks
• Rehab: Avoid activities that cause pain. Focus your attention on rest, ice, compression, and elevation. You may still be able to play light soccer if it doesn’t hurt too much.

Grade 2 Sprain

• Recovery Time: 2-4 weeks
• Rehab: Similar to Grade 1, except this time you want to lean more on immobilizing the ankle and sometimes even using a brace. Avoid playing until you regain your strength and mobility.

Grade 3 Sprain

• Recovery Time: Up to 12 weeks or more
• Rehab: In worst case scenarios, some doctors may use a cast or walking boot. The condition, more often than not, will require physical therapy, and at times surgery may be needed.

While this may be frustrating, it is much better to take your time and allow yourself to heal. Perhaps the biggest mistake made amongst athletes is returning too quickly, which may result in slowing down the healing process or worsening an injury.

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Risks of Playing with a Sprained Ankle

Still, second-guessing about playing with a sprained ankle? Well, the following are some of the risks you may consider:

Making It Worse: Soccer is tough on your ankles, and playing through a sprain can make the injury worse-turning a minor problem into something more serious.

Compensation Injuries: When one part of your body is hurt, you instinctively favor that area, relying more heavily on other areas. For example, if your ankle hurts, you may favor it and experience problems in another area, such as your knee, hip, or lower back.

Chronic Ankle Instability: Returning to play too quickly when an ankle injury has occurred may result in chronic instability, meaning your ankle could roll or sprain again in the future. This would have a significant impact on long-term soccer performance.

Can You Risk It For an Important Game?

But what if it’s the last game of your season, or an important tournament match, and you have a sprained ankle?

Should you tough it out?

Now, this is where it gets a little tricky. For a Grade 1 sprain, if it doesn’t hurt too much and you feel that you could go on and move well, then you may try and continue on, resting afterward of course.

You will want to tape the ankle up or brace it for extra support. Just remember, if during the game it hurts more, then you must stop immediately. No pressure!

For a Grade 2 or 3 sprain, you should sit out.

Even in an important game, it is better to support your teammates from the sidelines than to make the injury worse.

Also, consider how your injury is going to affect performance. If you can’t run or move with the ball effectively, you aren’t going to be helping your team that much anyway.

Sometimes it’s better to let someone who’s fully healthy take your spot and let you cheer from the bench.