An ankle sprain is a common soft tissue injury of the lower leg. It can occur in people of all ages. Due to swelling it can be painful to walk. Ankle sprains happens when one or more of the ankle ligaments are stretched or torn which usually happens when the foot rapidly twists or rolls in an awkward way, forcing the ankle joint out of its normal position.  

 Ankle sprains range from mild to severe, which is determined by how much damage there is to the ligaments. The ankle joint has eight ligaments that connect the bones of the lower leg to the foot. They keep the joint stable but still allow for necessary movements. Ankle ligaments are stretchy bands of tissue and have a specific range of motion.