Ligament sprains are one of the most common injuries treated by physiotherapists. A sprain occurs when a ligament, the strong tissue that supports and stabilises a joint, is overstretched or torn. Sprains commonly affect the ankle, knee, wrist and thumb and can occur during sport, exercise, work or everyday activities.

Symptoms can range from mild discomfort to significant swelling, bruising and instability depending on the severity of the injury.

Common symptoms include:

• Pain around the joint
• Swelling and bruising
• Reduced movement
• Difficulty walking or using the joint
• Joint instability or “giving way”
• Weakness and stiffness

Physiotherapy Assessment

Your physiotherapist will perform a thorough assessment to determine the severity of the sprain and identify contributing factors that may delay recovery or increase the risk of reinjury.

Assessment commonly includes:

• Detailed history of the injury
• Assessment of swelling and bruising
• Range of movement testing
• Strength testing
• Ligament stability testing
• Walking, balance and functional assessment

Where appropriate, your physiotherapist may recommend further imaging such as ultrasound, X-ray or MRI.

Physiotherapy Treatment

Physiotherapy treatment aims to reduce pain, restore movement and strength, and safely return you to work, sport and daily activities.

Treatment may include:

• Joint mobilisation
• Soft tissue massage
• Dry needling
• Taping or bracing
• Swelling management
• Strengthening exercises
• Balance and proprioception retraining
• Return to sport rehabilitation

Exercise rehabilitation is an important part of recovery to restore joint stability and reduce the risk of recurrent sprains.

Recovery Following a Ligament Sprain

Recovery time will depend on the severity of the injury and the ligament involved. Mild sprains may settle within a few weeks, while more significant injuries can take several months to fully recover.

Early physiotherapy management can help improve recovery, restore confidence in movement and minimise ongoing instability or chronic pain.

If you have sustained a ligament sprain or are experiencing ongoing joint pain or instability, our physiotherapists can assist with assessment, treatment and rehabilitation.