Squash · General information
Rolled your ankle playing squash? What helps, and when to get it checked
A rolled ankle is a common way squash players get hurt. Sports Medicine Australia’s squash fact sheet, last revised in 2008, lists ankle and knee injuries as the most common in the sport, usually strains and sprains rather than severe injuries.[1] The NHS describes a sprain as a ligament injury and says most sprains can be looked after at home, with urgent care if the joint cannot be used, has changed shape, or the skin or feeling in it is not normal.[2]
What a sprain usually is
In a typical roll, the foot turns inward and the ligaments on the outer ankle are stretched. Pain, swelling, and bruising on that outer side are the usual story. That description is general. It does not tell you whether a bone is injured.
The first response
Stop the game. The NHS advice for a sprain or strain is to stop the activity, support the injured part, and use a wrapped ice pack for up to 20 minutes at a time.[2] Do not put ice directly on skin.
A 2018 guideline in the British Journal of Sports Medicine recommends exercise and a supportive brace or tape for ankle sprains, rather than keeping the ankle completely still for a long time.[3] Which exercises, and when they are safe, depend on the sprain. This page does not set a program.
Getting back on court
Walking without a limp is not the same as being ready for a lunge. Balance and the strength to push off are what squash asks for, and a previous sprain is a reason to take the rebuild seriously. A clinician who can watch the ankle should set that progression. There is no hop test or number of weeks on this page that says you are ready.
- You cannot put weight on the foot or use the ankle normally.
- The ankle or foot has changed shape or is pointing at an odd angle.
- The foot is numb, tingling, or has pins and needles.
- The skin has changed colour, such as blue or grey, or is cold.
Frequently asked questions
Should I keep playing on a fresh ankle sprain?
No. The NHS says to stop the activity and avoid putting weight through a new sprain or strain.[2]
When should I get an ankle sprain checked urgently?
The NHS says to get urgent care if you cannot use the injured part normally, its shape has changed, it is numb, or the skin is cold or has changed colour.[2]
Want a plan for this ankle?
A virtual visit with a registered physiotherapist can look at how you move and talk through next steps. This article is not that plan.
Book a visitSources
- Sports Medicine Australia. Squash fact sheet. Revised 2008.
- NHS. Sprains and strains.
- Vuurberg G, et al. Diagnosis, treatment and prevention of ankle sprains: update of an evidence-based clinical guideline. British Journal of Sports Medicine. 2018.
Keep reading
This article is general education. It is not a diagnosis, a clinical review, or a treatment plan for you. A clinician who can assess you is the right person to decide what is safe. In an emergency, call 911.