How long do you need to wait to start training again after a foot injury? Unfortunately, the answer might not be as simple as you’d like. It largely depends on the type of injury you have, as well as how well you take care of yourself in the first few days. After sustaining minor foot injuries, you could be back to light training in as little as 5-6 weeks; on the other hand, after major injuries, it could be months before you’re able to train again.
Recover From a Foot Injury Faster
If you want to recover as fast as possible, it’s important to invest time into healing yourself and resting. It’s all-too-common for athletes to become anxious soon after injury and start putting weight on their injured foot or ankle well before they should. This can slow the healing process and potentially cause the injury to become a permanent nuisance.
So, how can you return from a foot injury faster? The best way is the R.I.C.E. method:
| R: | Rest |
| I: | Ice |
| C: | Compression |
| E: | Elevation |
The R.I.C.E method reduces swelling, inflammation, pain, as well as recovery time. However, it’s most effective in the first three days of your injury, and it should be carefully followed immediately after your foot or ankle injury. If you want to recover faster, you have to rest effectively.
How Long Before You Can Train Again After Foot Injury
As mentioned above, this depends on many factors. However, there are some general rules-of-thumb for common foot injuries that can help you get a gauge of your estimated recovery time.
- Sprained ankles: Ankle sprains can last from 5 days to 12 weeks, depending on the severity of the sprain. They are generally classified into three levels of severity. Grade one sprains are the least severe and typically heal within two weeks; grade two sprains can take 6 weeks to heal, and grade three sprains can take up to 12 weeks with a risk of permanent injury.
- Dislocated toes: Within 8 weeks, you should be able to resume normal activity with even the most bothersome toe dislocation. It’s also possible that you can be up and running in as little as one week once you get your toe popped back into place by a doctor.
- Lisfranc fracture: A minor Lisfranc injury may be able to heal in as little as 4 weeks, but many fractures require surgery and can take upwards of 6 months.
Recover as Soon as Possible
It should be your utmost priority to follow all of your doctor’s recommendations and to rest responsibly following a foot or ankle injury. Once you are able to train again, it is best to take it slow to avoid injuring yourself again. If you are unsure about an activity, you should always consult your doctor first.
We are dedicated to providing the very best of podiatric care to the Central Valley area. If you have a foot injury, you should schedule an appointment with us right away.
