I can't boogie any more thanks to John Sergeant

Nov 23 2008 Dr Gareth Smith

Q I AM a huge fan of Strictly Come Dancing and thought that if John Sergeant could do it, so could I. I joined a dance class but went over on my ankle and got a bad sprain. How long will it be before I can get back on the dancefloor?

A SPRAINED ankles fall into three categories. Grade 1 is a microscopic tear of the ligaments around the ankle, grade 2 is a complete tear of some of the fibres in the ligament and grade 3 is a complete tearing of the ligament.

The treatment for grades 1 and 2 is R.I.C.E. - rest, ice, compression, elevation - so don't walk on it, apply ice two to four times daily, use bandages or Tubigrip and raise your ankle above your heart for 48 hours. I'd give it a month before you go back to dance class.