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Functional rehabilitation emphasizing early, protected loading optimizes ligament healing and sensorimotor recovery. After brief acute management to control swelling/pain (compression, elevation, relative rest), transition to pain-limited active ROM—especially dorsiflexion/eversion—reduces stiffness. Isometrics activate peroneals without excessive inversion stress; progress to isotonic strengthening (e.g., resisted eversion with bands) and closed-chain activities as tolerated. Proprioceptive/balance exercises (single-leg stance, perturbation) address mechanoreceptor deficits that predispose to chronic ankle instability. Immobilization (A) beyond short-term severe cases delays recovery and increases stiffness. Non-weight bearing until pain-free (B) is often unnecessarily restrictive; graded weight bearing improves outcomes. Avoiding closed-chain for 6 weeks (D) overlooks functional demands and slows return to sport readiness. Criteria-based progression includes swelling control, normalized gait, pain <3/10 with ADLs, and restoring dorsiflexion to match the uninvolved side before running/plyometrics.