I twisted my ankle 4 weeks ago. it is still swollen, throbs a lot and hurts on the pad when i walk. no x-rays were done but i was told its a sprain. how long will it take to heal?

You may: Need to have an x-ray or MRI to see if you have a fracture or ligament tear. Ankle sprains can take 8 to 10 weeks to heal on average.

Dr Pappas and another doctor agreed

Varies: Recovery from an ankle sprain is highly variable. It depends on the degree of ligament tearing, the need and compliance with immobilization (boot, cast, brace), compliance with relative rest and the success with rehab. At times, occult ( hard to diagnose) fractures or bone bruising create longer recovery periods. Average full recovery from a typical sprain is 1-2 months.

4 weeks: Soft tissue such as ankle sprains take about 4-6 weeks to heal with the correct therapy and immobilization. Depending on the grade of the sprain, more or less non weight bearing (not walking on ankle) is required.

Dr Mallia agreed

Have it evaluated.: Swelling may last a long time following a foot or ankle injury. An x-ray can show if there is an underlying fracture. The x-rays may be falsely negative initially in cases of small stress fractures. You may have a soft tissue injury if it is just a sprain and may have damaged the muscle, tendon, or ligaments in the area. Have it evaluated by a professional and get the appropriate treatment.