What happens to the muscle when it is sprained? i'm a track sprinter and had high ankle sprains on both of my ankles. will they ever recoperate?

Yes, but: You need to allow your body to heal. You should talk to your trainer, if there is one, how to slowly return to full activity. If you overdue you will only get worse.

Painful ankle: Possibly, but it would be best if you took it easy over the next couple of days. You can use price therapy. If the pain is still the same after 10-14 days you should see a doctor and get some xrays. Since you have had repeated sprains you would be best served by asking for a podiatry referral.

Muscle atrophies....: After a sprain the supporting muscle atrophies or "shrinks and weakens". One must aggressively rehabiliate the affected muscle. This is initially done with physical therapy and later it is continued with a home exercise program. It will take you many months to get the full strength, size and tone of the muscle back and that is if you do the exercise regularly. Seek a physical therapy eval.