Sprained ankle, day 1. Image 1 of 8. Male patient with a sprained (twisted) ankle. A sprain occurs when a sudden, violent movement at a joint causes the over-stretching of the joint's ligaments. The joint becomes swollen and difficult to move. Bruising (not seen) often accompanies the injury. Sprained ankles are a very common injury and are not usually serious. The swelling can be reduced using an ice-pack, bandages, painkillers and rest. It can take several months for a sprain to heal. See M330/1213-M330/1220, for a sequence showing a healing sprained ankle.