How Long Does It Take to Heal from a Sports Injury?

We get this question a lot at the clinic:
“How long will it take to heal?”

Whether you’ve pulled a muscle during a run, twisted your ankle during football, or felt a twinge in your Achilles during your workout—waiting to get better can feel frustrating. The truth is, recovery time depends on the type of injury and how you treat it.

But here’s the good news: with the right support (like sports therapy right here at our podiatry clinic), you can heal faster, safer, and with less chance of the injury coming back.

Typical Healing Times for Common Sports Injuries

While every body heals at its own pace, here’s a general guide:

• Mild ankle sprain – 1 to 3 weeks

• Moderate ankle sprain or ligament strain – 4 to 6 weeks

• Achilles tendinopathy – 6 to 12 weeks (or longer if left untreated)

• Plantar fasciitis – 6 weeks to several months

• Stress fractures – 6 to 8 weeks

• Muscle strains – 2 to 6 weeks depending on severity

• Shin splints – 2 to 4 weeks (if caught early)

But time alone doesn’t guarantee a full recovery. If the injury isn’t supported properly, or if you go back to activity too soon, it can lead to chronic pain or repeated injuries.

Why Just Resting Isn’t Always Enough

Yes, rest is important. But rest alone often doesn’t fix the root cause—especially for foot and leg injuries where biomechanics, muscle imbalance, or poor footwear might be to blame.

That’s where sports therapy at our podiatry clinic makes the difference.

How Sports Therapy Helps You Heal Smarter, Not Just Slower

Our sports therapy service is built to help active people recover faster, move better, and prevent future injuries. Here’s how it helps:

1. Hands-On Treatment

Soft tissue massage, mobilisation, and trigger point therapy to ease pain, reduce stiffness, and improve movement.

2. Injury-Specific Rehab Exercises

Tailored strengthening and stretching plans to rebuild your body where it needs it most—safely and gradually.

3. Foot & Gait Analysis

As a podiatry-based clinic, we assess how your feet move and whether things like poor alignment or flat feet are putting extra strain on your body.

4. Custom Orthotics (If Needed)

If foot mechanics are part of the problem, we can fit you with orthotics to help improve alignment, reduce pain, and support better recovery.

5. Education & Support

We guide you on when to return to training, what to avoid, and how to reduce the chance of getting injured again.

Top Tips to Speed Up Recovery at Home

• Don’t ignore pain – Get it checked early

• Follow your rehab plan – Even if you feel better

• Use ice in the early stages – Helps reduce inflammation

• Eat well & stay hydrated – Your body needs fuel to heal

• Listen to your body – Pushing through pain often delays recovery

The Bottom Line?

If you’re dealing with a sports injury, you don’t have to struggle through it alone. With expert support from our sports therapy team at Coventry Foot Doctor, you can heal faster, move better, and get back to doing what you love—without setbacks.