In the case of a Grade 2 ankle sprain, your doctor may recommend that you wear an ankle brace until the sprain heals. You may also be required to use crutches for a short time. When it is deemed a case of a severe sprain, your ankle joint may be unstable. If this is the diagnosis, you may require a cast to immobilize the joint until it heals. You will be referred to an orthopedic specialist for further evaluation.
For some time after you return to normal activity, your doctor may recommend an ankle brace to support the ankle and protect it from re-injury. Recovery time will depend on the seriousness of the sprain. Regardless of the severity, you can speed up the healing process by staying off your feet and resting the injury as much as possible. No matter how sever the injury, unless it is splinted or cast, your doctor will probably tell you to apply ice packs to relieve swelling and pain