How common is a high ankle sprain?

You may have heard of ankle sprains your whole life and never heard of a "high" one. So how often does it happen?

Rarer than the usual sprain

Less often than the kind most people know. Cleveland Clinic says: "A high ankle sprain is less common than a low ankle sprain." That is the whole comparison the source offers, and it is a useful one for a beginner.

What "less common" means for you

Being less common does not make it unimportant. It only means it turns up less often than a low sprain. To read more, start with Cleveland Clinic's high ankle sprain page. For the more familiar low sprain, the sprained ankle page is the one to compare.

What to watch for

Do not decide that your ankle is a common sprain just because common ones are common. If the injury does not feel like what you expected, or it is slow to improve, mention that when you talk to a provider. Plain notes about what you notice each day are enough.

When to book a visit

If an ankle injury is not settling, book a visit. Readers in Woodland Park and nearby towns can find a nearby provider and ask which kind of sprain they are dealing with.

Before you close this page

Rarer injuries are easy to overlook because the familiar answer comes to mind first. Keep an open mind, track your symptoms, and let an exam sort it out.