It has been proved that there is no need to place a plaster or totally immobilize ankle joint after an ankle sprain. Actually it has been shown that NSAID, protected weight bearing with ankle support, CAM boot or a special ankle immobilizer results in a better and rapid healing. For chronic ankle sprains without much laxity, prolotherapy has proven to be a much better option than steroid injection.
In case of chronic ankle sprain some patients go on sustaining repeated ankle sprains because the ligament becomes elongated and cannot function. In such cases ankle MRI not only shows the ligament injury but also can show ankle articular cartilage damage (OCD of Talus) or Deltoid [medial] ligament injury. In such cases, it is advisable to undergo ankle ligament reconstruction surgery. If done scientifically and before extensive damage, Ankle arthroscopy with Brostrum procedure has given very encouraging results with physiotherapy. In very advance case, ankle joint fusion or ankle replacement remains the only viable option.
It is better to be vigilant about ankle sprain and its treatment to prevent ankle arthritis,