s5e17 An Unwelcome Twist: Everything You Need to Know About Ankle Sprains with Lauren LaPierre, PT, DPT | The Running Explained Podcast
- Jun 6
- 3 min read
In this episode, Dr. Lauren LaPierre, doctor of physical therapy, runner rehab specialist and running coach, speaks with Coach Elisabeth about one of the most overlooked injuries among runners: the ankle sprain. Drawing from both clinical experience and personal recovery after spraining her own ankle, Dr. LaPierre breaks down what really happens when you sprain your ankle, how to assess its severity, and why proper rehabilitation is crucial to long-term recovery. She explains the body’s inflammatory response (yes, swelling is normal!), medications and pain management in early stages of healing, and how to interpret different "grades" of sprains and their severity.
The episode also explores common misconceptions around treating sprains, including the tendency to rush recovery or opt for surgery too soon. Dr. LaPierre makes a strong case for conservative therapy, patient-centered care, and staying active in safe, modified ways during rehab. Whether you're currently dealing with an ankle sprain or want to prevent one in the future, this episode for you.
What You’ll Learn:
Why ankle sprains are so common in runners and how to assess their severity
What proper rehabilitation after an ankle sprain should look like
How to approach pain management at different points in your recovery
Why conservative therapy is often more effective than surgery for long-term healing
How to maintain fitness and mental health during recovery
The emotional challenges of injury and how to navigate them
The importance of advocating for yourself in the healthcare system
How to set realistic goals and gradually rebuild strength after time off
Sound Bites:
“That's something with working through an acute injury: you want to stay ahead of your pain, you don't want to let the pain kind of kick on, because then you're going to be kind of like hurting for a bit and not able to kind of work through that.”
“The tricky thing with partial tears though is it's anything under 100%. So like I could have torn 90 % of it and it's still considered a grade two tear.”
“Grade three tears or very severe grade two tears have less likely re-injury rates simply because they are actually addressed via rehab protocol versus the grade one and grade two.”
“That's the thing that most people, but also runners in general, hate is that these things take time and they take a lot of dedication.”
“As runners, we feel like we would literally need to have a missing leg before we had an excuse to not finish our run.”
"Research consistently shows that starting with conservative therapy is going to get you to a better place faster than going the surgical route first with any surgery."
"You will get back to this fitness level one day. It may not be in a certain timeline that you expect, but you've always been able to kind of get back to where you want to be."
Connect with Lauren:
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About Your Host
Elisabeth Scott is a running coach, educator, and the founder of Running Explained, where she helps runners train smarter, run stronger, and enjoy the process. After getting sober at 29, she laced up her running shoes with the goal of finishing a 5K—and never looked back. Since then, she’s gone on to complete multiple races, including marathons with a Boston Qualifying time, all while deepening her expertise in endurance training.
With a science-based approach, Coach Elisabeth is passionate about making complex running concepts accessible and actionable for runners of all levels. Her coaching philosophy centers on building a strong aerobic base, improving running efficiency, and developing a whole-human approach to training that prioritizes consistency, injury prevention, and sustainable progress.
Through Running Explained, Elisabeth offers training plans, online courses, and 1:1 coaching designed to help runners achieve their goals while avoiding the common pitfalls of overtraining, under-fueling, and burnout. Whether you’re training for your first half marathon or chasing a new PR, her guidance will help you train smarter, race stronger, and love the journey.
📲 Learn more at RunningExplained.com
📢 Follow on Instagram: @runningexplained
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