There are many reasons to fake a sprained ankle. Most people might want to get out of school or something similar. You should probably not try to fake a sprain for this reason, in case you get found out and also because it's wrong to lie like that. If you must though, do it. A sprained ankle, unlike a broken bone, is a soft tissue injury. Soft tissue injuries are difficult to diagnose and are easy injuries to fake. When faking a sprained ankle it is important to know how to fake the pain, bandage your ankle, and remain convincing during the duration of the fake sprain.
Steps
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Avoid putting weight on your foot. An ankle sprain would cause pain when you put weight on your foot. To fake a sprain, you should walk with a limp and avoid putting too much weight on your ankle. -
Wince in pain when your ankle is moved. To seem convincing, you should pretend that moving your ankle provides you a moderate amount of pain. Your ankle is likely to be examined by a teacher, parent, or healthcare provider. If you mistakenly move it, cover up with a painful cry, or clutch your ankle. They will begin by moving your ankle from side by side. When this happens, show that it is painful, but do not overact.- Overacting may seem less convincing or result in your family or doctor running tests to determine the problem.
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Limit your range of motion. Avoid moving your ankle from side to side or up and down as much as possible. If a doctor or healthcare provider looks at your ankle they might compare its range of motion to that of your unhurt ankle. A true sprain would limit your range of motion in the injured ankle.
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Wrap your ankle in a bandage. If you are trying to fake a sprain outside of a doctor’s office, it is best to appear as though you have seen a doctor. A doctor would typically wrap your ankle in a bandage to provide support and limit your motion. Start wrapping your ankle near the bridge of your foot. Continue to wrap the bandage around your foot and ankle until you reach the top of your ankle. Secure the bandage with the provided pin.- You can find a stretch bandage at most general or drug stores.
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Use crutches to walk. A doctor would typically advise that you avoid putting weight on your foot for two to six weeks after spraining your ankle. The best way to do this is by using crutches. You can find crutches at a medical supply store; however, keep in mind that your health insurance will not cover this cost without a doctor’s prescription. -
Wear a walking boot. A more serious sprain might require a boot to help support the foot and more intensely limit your range of motion. You can also find a boot at a medical supply store.
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Decide on a story and stick to it. You typically sprain an ankle when you roll it. This can happen while walking, running, jumping, falling, or playing a sport. Whenever story you make up, be sure to stick to it. Decide on the details of your story before telling it. Changing your story can lead to someone discovering that you are faking a sprained ankle. -
Place a rock in your shoe to remind you to limp. Since you are faking an injury, it may be difficult to remember that you are supposed to limp when you walk. You can place a rock, or something small but uncomfortable, in your shoe to help remind you that you should be walking with a limp. -
Avoid telling people that your injury is fake. You should not trust anyone to keep your secret. Therefore, if you really want everyone to believe that your ankle is really sprained, you should refrain from telling anyone the truth. [1] X Research source -
Read up on ankle sprains. Before you fake a sprained ankle, you should do your research. Read about what a sprained ankle looks and feels like. Read about recovery times and treatments. The more you know about sprained ankles, the easier it will be to fake a sprained ankle. -
Continue faking the injury. It takes most people between two and six weeks to recover from a sprained ankle if they follow their doctor’s medical advice. You should remember to continue the act for several weeks. It is also wise to gradually “recover” instead of instantly recovering. [2] X Research source- To “slowly recover”, gradually eliminate the wrap, brace, or crutches. Begin to put weight on your ankle again. Take one to two weeks to “fully recover.”
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Expert Q&A
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QuestionHow do I portray an ankle or knee injury when acting?Greg James Blount is an Acting Coach, Talent Development Director, and co-owner with his wife of the Green Room Acting Studio based in Boca Raton, Florida. Greg has over 30+ years in the talent industry. His online acting studio trains hundreds of students each month and has been responsible for many actors being discovered and gaining representation, including Kira Kosarin (Nickelodeon's The Thundermans), Kayden Muller (Disney’s Villains of Valley View), Colin O’Brien (WONKA, Dear Edward), Cade Sutton (Disney's Kirby Buckets), and Christopher Cassarino (HULU’s Reasonable Doubt, NBC's New Amsterdam). Greg also owns Sound Tree Entertainment and has produced several award-winning films and TV shows. In May 2024, he directed his first feature film, The Tan Man. Greg has a degree in film production and a minor in fashion photography from the University of South Carolina.To portray a sprained ankle or knee injury while acting, draw on the natural reaction you would likely exhibit at the sudden infliction of pain and discomfort. You want to begin with a slight, sharp wince or gasp immediately after the injury "occurs." Then grab that area and ensure your weight shifts so you do not place any pressure on it. For a sprained ankle, limp heavily, keeping much of your weight on your uninjured leg, and avoid putting your foot down flat. For a knee injury, try to avoid bending it too much, moving stiffly, or hobbling. Your facial expressions should show discomfort with every step, and you can occasionally grimace or breathe sharply to emphasize the ongoing pain. Use different memories from pain earlier, such as having been injured or in pain. To make the pain look more real and natural, you can pull from your past memories of how it feels to have been injured or in pain.
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QuestionWhat are some tips for making something appear swollen?Community AnswerYou can wrap the desired spot for 2-5 minuets tightly, but do not overdo it. Afterwards, hit the spot hard enough to make it red but not enough to hurt yourself.
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QuestionWhat if my mom doesn't believe me?Community AnswerIf you follow the steps in the article and you don't overdo it, she'll probably believe you. If she doesn't, there's not much you can do about that.
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Tips
- Avoiding faking an injury too frequently. People will catch on that you are faking.Thanks
- Don't under react because then you wouldn't be convincing enough.Thanks
- Don’t overact when you are faking an injury. This could cause people to want to perform medical tests to confirm that there is not a more serious condition.Thanks
Tips from our Readers
The advice in this section is based on the lived experiences of wikiHow readers like you. If you have a helpful tip you’d like to share on wikiHow, please submit it in the field below.
- Remember to say no to activities you wouldn't be able to do with an actual sprained ankle. You probably wouldn't go to the park, the mall, or do other active things with your friends.
- Try not to act like it hurts too bad so that you can let it "heal" on its own. Otherwise, when you go to the doctor you might have to get an X-Ray and they'll see that you're faking.
- Don't try to hurt your ankle for real. Sprained ankles are truly painful and you need to seek medical attention if you get one.
- Keep rubbing your ankle as if it hurts. If someone touches it, close your eyes tightly and grit your teeth like you're in pain.
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Warnings
- Do not fake an injury for an insurance claim. This is fraud, which is a very serious and punishable crime.Thanks
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References
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Reader Success Stories
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"You might not want to use makeup for the brushes, because it is hard to keep on and redo the same. Also, if you bend your ankle purposely, it will help you with the faking."
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"I think this article is really helpful, the first method could also be used in case you are an actor/actress and the second one could be used for attention."
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"The tip/step that helped me the most was fake falling on my ankle. I actually stayed home from school for 3 days and it was awesome."
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"It was good for getting attention from my parents. I didn't fake an ankle sprain, I just said my foot hurt."
"I like the bit about form over use the crutches and bang your foot against a wall and wrap it!"
