Still Limping Weeks After an Ankle Injury? Here’s Why

Twisting or spraining your ankle is no fun—but what’s even more frustrating is when it still hurts weeks later. If you’re finding yourself limping long after the swelling has gone down, it’s a sign that something hasn’t healed quite right.

At Prime Foot Clinic, we often see patients who assumed their ankle would just “sort itself out,” only to be stuck with a limp, pain, or instability. Let’s take a look at what could be going on.

1. The Ligaments Might Not Be Fully Healed

Most ankle sprains involve overstretching or tearing ligaments—those tough bands that hold your ankle together. Even a “mild” sprain can take 6–12 weeks to properly heal, depending on how bad it was.

If you started walking too soon, or didn’t rest properly, those ligaments may not have had a chance to recover fully.

What it feels like: Pain when turning or bending the ankle, especially side-to-side, with occasional swelling or weakness.

2. You’ve Developed Muscle Imbalance or Weakness

After an injury, your body tries to protect the sore area—so you move differently to avoid pain. But that can lead to muscle tightness or weakness on one side of your foot or leg.

This imbalance keeps your walking pattern off—and keeps the limp going.

What it feels like: Tiredness in the leg, a dragging step, or feeling like your ankle isn’t strong enough to push off properly.

3. There’s Scar Tissue or Stiffness Left Behind

Sometimes, small bits of scar tissue or joint stiffness develop during healing. That leftover tightness can make your ankle feel “stuck,” especially first thing in the morning or after resting.

What it feels like: A dull ache, reduced movement, or a stiff feeling that eases up once you get going.

4. You Might Have Missed a Deeper Injury

Not all injuries are visible from the outside. Things like small bone fractures, tendon damage, or cartilage issues can sometimes be missed if you weren’t scanned or checked early on.

What it feels like: Ongoing pain deep in the joint or a sharp pain during certain movements that won’t go away.

Don’t Just Push Through It

We know it’s tempting to “walk it off” or wait and see. But limping for weeks is your body’s way of saying something’s not right.

The longer you leave it, the more your body tries to adjust—and that can lead to problems in your knees, hips, or back down the line.

Get Back to Walking Properly – Without the Limp

At Prime Foot Clinic in Ramsbottom, Prestwich and Denton, we can assess what’s still going on in your ankle, even weeks or months after the original injury. We’ll look at how you walk, test the joint and muscle strength, and check for hidden causes like instability or tendon strain.

With the right treatment—whether that’s rehab exercises, orthotics, footwear support, or hands-on therapy—you’ll be back on your feet with a proper step again.

Don’t let a past injury hold you back any longer.
Book an appointment today and let’s get you walking comfortably again.