An ankle brace often helps control swelling and adds stability while the ligaments are healing. Ice it to keep down the swelling. Don't put ice directly on the skin (use a thin piece of cloth such as a pillow case between the ice bag and the skin) and don't ice more than 20 minutes at a time to avoid frost bite.
https://www.aofas.org/footcaremd/how-to/foot-injury/Pages/How%20to%20Care%20for%20a%20Sprained%20Ankle.aspx
A sprain can be difficult to differentiate from a fracture (broken bone) without an x-ray. If you are unable to bear weight after this type of injury, or if there is significant swelling or deformity, you should seek medical treatment from a doctor (MD or DO).
https://www.aofas.org/footcaremd/how-to/foot-injury/Pages/How%20to%20Care%20for%20a%20Sprained%20Ankle.aspx
Ankle Sprain Recovery Time. There are 2 easy tests to use in determining when a sprained ankle is well enough to get back to normal activities. Stand on the ankle for 1 minute with the eyes closed or jump up and down 10 times in a row. If these 2 tests can be done without any pain then the ankle is ready for normal activities.
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For a Grade II sprain, follow the R.I.C.E. guidelines and allow more time for healing. A doctor may immobilize or splint your sprained ankle. A Grade III sprain puts you at risk for permanent ankle instability. Rarely, surgery may be needed to repair the damage, especially in competitive athletes.
https://www.aofas.org/footcaremd/how-to/foot-injury/Pages/How%20to%20Care%20for%20a%20Sprained%20Ankle.aspx
You're most likely to sprain your ankle when you have your toes on the ground and heel up (plantar flexion). This position puts your ankle's ligaments under tension, making them vulnerable. A sudden force like landing on an uneven surface may turn your ankle inward (inversion).
https://www.aofas.org/footcaremd/how-to/foot-injury/Pages/How%20to%20Care%20for%20a%20Sprained%20Ankle.aspx
How long does a sprained ankle take to heal? A: According to WebMD, the healing time for a sprained ankle ranges between six weeks and four months, depending on the extent of the sprain. Stretching and range-of-motion exercises can help to strengthen the ankle and minimize pain throughout the healing process. Continue Reading.
https://www.reference.com/health/long-sprained-ankle-heal-551d794dc287e667
What helps a sprained ankle heal faster? To help an ankle sprain heal faster, doctors recommend that patients practice the RICE method, which is to rest, ice, compress and elevate the ankle, according to About.com. After the first couple of days, patients should begin moving and strengthening the ankle.
https://www.reference.com/health/long-sprained-ankle-heal-551d794dc287e667
1 Apply the ice as quickly after the injury as possible as ice can stop most of the inflammation from even beginning.  Do not apply the ice directly on the skin. Use a towel between the injury and the ice or use an ice bag. Apply ice for twenty minutes each time, with thirty minutes in between.
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But the sprain could be more severe; your ankle might swell and it might hurt too much to stand on it. If it's a severe sprain, you might have felt a pop when the injury happened. A sprained ankle means one or more ligaments on the outer side of your ankle were stretched or torn.
https://www.aofas.org/footcaremd/how-to/foot-injury/Pages/How%20to%20Care%20for%20a%20Sprained%20Ankle.aspx
Ankle Sprain – Treatment, Recovery Time, Exercises, Symptoms, Causes. The majority of individuals has sprained ankle some time in their life. But, if the ankles get painful or swollen after it is twisted, it is more likely sprained. This only means that the ligaments in the ankle have been possibly torn or stretched beyond normal use.
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average healing time for sprained ankle
The average healing time for sprained ankles is between six weeks and four months.