Evaluation and treatment of ankle sprains: clinical recommendations for a positive outcome.

Ankle sprains usually involve damage to lateral ankle ligaments and syndesmotic ligaments. A detailed examination that focuses on physical examination techniques is important because other injuries may mimic ankle sprains, and hands-on grading of ankle sprains dictates treatment and forecasts recovery time. Most ankle sprains can be successfully treated nonsurgically with PRICE (protection, rest, ice, compression, and elevation). When patients experience chronic pain or instability from an ankle sprain, a directed approach will help physicians fine-tune nonsurgical treatments or suggest a surgical referral.