Common foot & ankle concerns we treat
- Pain that limits walking, lifting, or sleep
- Stiffness, swelling, or reduced range of motion
- Sports injuries: acute or overuse
- Arthritis or post-traumatic joint changes
- Conditions other doctors couldn't resolve
Ankle Sprain
A stretched or torn ankle ligament
An ankle sprain is a stretch or tear of one or more ligaments around the ankle, most often from rolling the foot inward; same-day evaluation is recommended for severe sprains. Same-day or next-day evaluations across eight LA-area offices.
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Board-certified surgeons and podiatrists across eight Los Angeles area neighborhoods.
Book a visitOr call (323) 264-7600
What sets LAOSS apart
- Same- or next-day appointments at eight Los Angeles-area offices
- On-site imaging; PT coordinated with your in-network provider
- Conservative-first care, surgery only when needed
- Board-certified specialists, not generalists
Key takeaways
- An ankle sprain is one of many foot & ankle conditions our specialists evaluate every day.
- Most ankle sprains heal without surgery: rest, ice, compression, and elevation at first, then bracing and PT with your in-network provider to restore strength and balance.
- When a procedure is the right call, we explain every option, recovery timeline, and return-to-activity milestone.
- On-site imaging at most offices and same-day appointments across eight Los Angeles-area locations.
What is an ankle sprain?
An ankle sprain is a stretch or tear of one or more ligaments around the ankle, most often from rolling the foot inward; same-day evaluation is recommended for severe sprains. Pain, swelling, and bruising usually start right after the injury. Early evaluation matters most when you cannot put weight on the ankle or the swelling is severe, because a broken ankle can look like a sprain.
Most patients with an ankle sprain improve with conservative care: rest, ice, compression, and elevation in the first days, a brace or walking boot for support, and physical therapy to restore motion, strength, and balance. Surgery is rarely needed and is considered mainly when the ankle stays unstable or keeps giving way after a full course of rehabilitation.
Below, we walk through the anatomy involved, the symptoms and causes we most often see, how we diagnose an ankle sprain, and the full range of treatment options, from the simplest to the most involved.
Watch: Ankle Sprains
Ligaments are fibrous, elastic bands of tissue that connect and stabilize the bones. An ankle sprain is a common, painful injury that occurs when one or more of the ankle ligaments is stretched beyond the normal range of motion. Sprains can occur as a result of sudden twisting, turning or rolling movements.
Inside the foot & ankle.
The foot and ankle have 26 bones, more than 30 joints, and over 100 ligaments and tendons. The plantar fascia spans the bottom of the foot, the Achilles tendon anchors the calf to the heel, and the ankle is a hinge that handles every step you take. Most foot and ankle problems trace back to overload, alignment, or footwear that doesn't match the way your foot is built.
Symptoms and causes of an ankle sprain
Common symptoms
- Pain and swelling around the ankle
- Bruising and tenderness
- Difficulty bearing weight
- A sensation of instability
Common causes
- Rolling the foot inward (inversion injury)
- Stepping on an uneven surface
- Sports cutting and pivoting motions
- Prior ankle sprains (recurrent)
How we diagnose an ankle sprain
You want answers, fast, and we're built to give them. Most patients leave their first LAOSS visit with a clear diagnosis and a written plan, not another referral chain.
Here's what your initial visit for an ankle sprain typically looks like:
- Detailed history: when it started, what makes it better or worse, what you've already tried
- Focused exam of the foot & ankle: range of motion, stability, strength, specific provocation tests
- On-site imaging at most offices: X-ray for bone, ultrasound or MRI when soft-tissue detail is needed
- A written plan with options ranging from conservative care to surgical procedures, in plain English
Schedule your evaluation at the LAOSS office nearest you.
How we treat an ankle sprain at LAOSS
Once we've confirmed the diagnosis, the next step is matching the right treatment to your situation. We start with the least-invasive option that fits, and escalate only when it doesn't.
Conservative care
Step 1Conservative care first
Non-surgical options designed to relieve pain, restore movement, and avoid the OR when possible.
- Rest, ice, compression, and elevation in the first days
- Lace-up brace or walking boot, depending on how severe the sprain is
- Early, protected weight-bearing and gentle motion as pain allows
- Physical therapy for motion, strength, and balance training
- Anti-inflammatory medication for pain and swelling as needed
- Gradual return to sport, often with a brace or taping
Surgical care
When neededSurgical options when needed
Surgery is uncommon and is considered for ankles that stay unstable or painful after a full course of rehabilitation.
- Ligament repair (Broström procedure) for an ankle that keeps giving way
- Ligament reconstruction with a tendon graft when the ligaments cannot be repaired
- Ankle arthroscopy for cartilage damage, loose fragments, or scar tissue
- Repair of associated injuries, such as a peroneal tendon tear
- Bracing and staged physical therapy after surgery
Why experience matters.
Why experience matters
Foot & ankle care is highly technique-dependent. Volume, training, and judgment together determine the outcome you actually feel six months later.
- Precise diagnosis from imaging and exam
- Conservative-first care that avoids unnecessary surgery
- Surgical technique refined over thousands of cases
- On-site imaging + coordinated PT through your in-network provider
The LAOSS approach
Our foot & ankle specialists move stepwise: start with the least-invasive option that fits your situation, escalate only when it doesn't.
- Same-day imaging at most offices
- PT coordinated in your insurance network
- Board-certified surgeons performing the procedures themselves
- Direct access to your specialist between visits
Am I a candidate?
If most of these match your situation, an evaluation with a foot & ankle specialist is the next step.
You may be a candidate if
These signs typically point toward an in-person evaluation with a foot & ankle specialist.
- Pain or stiffness in the foot & ankle that lasts more than a few days
- Swelling, instability, or noticeable change in function
- Symptoms that limit walking, lifting, sleep, or work
- Previous treatment that didn't fully resolve the problem
- Imaging or exam findings that suggest an underlying issue
What evaluation includes
Your first visit is built to give you an answer the same day, not just another referral.
- Detailed history: onset, mechanism, what makes it better or worse
- Hands-on exam focused on the affected joint or region
- On-site imaging at most offices (X-ray, ultrasound)
- Clear plan with options ranging from conservative to surgical
- Same-day or next-day scheduling for any follow-up tests
ImportantSeek urgent evaluation for sudden severe pain, numbness, progressive weakness, or any sign of infection (fever, increasing redness or swelling).
Your foot & ankle recovery roadmap.
Recovery is rarely a straight line, but a clear plan with measurable milestones makes the path predictable.
- Days 0 to 14
Right after care
In the first two weeks we focus on protecting the foot & ankle, calming inflammation, and restoring basic motion.
- Activity modification with clear do/don't guidance
- Ice, elevation, and pain control as needed
- Gentle range-of-motion within safe limits
- Follow-up scheduled to track healing
- Weeks 2 to 8
Rehabilitation
Targeted physical therapy rebuilds strength, mobility, and confidence in the foot & ankle.
- Progressive strengthening and neuromuscular work
- Manual therapy and soft-tissue treatment
- Sport- or job-specific movement re-training
- Coordinated PT through your in-network provider
- Months 2+
Long-term care
Once function is restored, the focus shifts to keeping you there, and catching any recurrence early.
- Return-to-activity plan with measured benchmarks
- Home program tailored to your sport or job
- Maintenance visits or imaging if symptoms change
- Direct line back to your specialist if needed
Risks & considerations
What to weigh before you decide.
We talk through the risks and benefits with every patient. Informed consent is a conversation, not a form.
General considerations
Every orthopedic intervention carries a small set of standard risks. We screen, prepare, and monitor for these on every patient.
- Infection (rare with modern technique and prophylaxis)
- Bleeding or bruising at the treatment site
- Reaction to anesthesia or medications
- Need for additional procedures in some cases
Foot and ankle considerations
Some risks are tied to the structures we're treating in the foot & ankle. We discuss these in detail at your visit so you can weigh them against the benefits.
- Temporary stiffness or weakness during recovery
- Incomplete pain relief in a small percentage of cases
- Nerve or vessel irritation near the treatment area
- Need for follow-up therapy to fully restore function
Meet our foot & ankle doctors in the Greater Los Angeles area
At LAOSS, our foot & ankle specialists are board-certified and treat these problems every day. From minimally invasive arthroscopic techniques to joint replacement and arthritis management, our physicians bring decades of experience to every case. We have cared for Los Angeles patients since 2007, with one goal for each: less pain, better movement, and a return to the activities you love.
Care for an ankle sprain starts here
Don't let an ankle sprain be something you just power through. With same- or next-day appointments at multiple Los Angeles locations, you'll never wait weeks or months for answers. The same team handles your diagnosis, treatment, and recovery. Whether you need bracing, physical therapy, or surgery, we plan it with you and coordinate each step.
Call or schedule online today to see a foot & ankle specialist in Los Angeles.
From our Google reviews
Read all 9,626 reviews on GoogleWhat patients say
“Dr. Lu was very knowledgeable & nice, very professional and very thorough and addressed all of my pains/concerns, with all the necessary x-rays & orders for physical therapy and a brace for my strained/sprained ankle. I would highly recommend him! Great staff too! …”
A L.Google reviewValenciaApr 2025
“Came to get a sprained ankle checked out. Staff are all friendly and knowledgeable. Dr. Cikra communicated effectively and was very thorough in his explanations of my prognosis and the timeline for treatment/healing. …”
Sammie L.Google reviewWilshireNov 2024
Selected 5-star reviews from Google, shown as written. Individual results vary.
Common ankle sprain questions
- We start with a focused orthopedic exam and detailed history. X-rays are usually done in-office; MRI or ultrasound is ordered when soft-tissue detail is needed. Most patients leave the first visit with a clear diagnosis and a written plan.
Don't wait on pain.
Book a visit with a foot & ankle specialist at any of our eight Los Angeles-area offices.
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21 specialists · 8 offices
Greater Los Angeles
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