To start with, I am a 22 year old male in good health. I sprained my ankle pretty badly about 2 weeks ago playing basketball(ankle rolled out, sole of foot in). I always wear good shoes plus extra ankle support, but given the amount I play I would say I roll my ankle fairly frequently, although it has always been minor and easily walked off. This was the first time it was a serious sprain. I don't remember hearing a pop or not because I hit pretty hard, I do remember it being painful initially though. When I got home I elevated it and iced it off and on the rest of the day and there was no swelling for several days.
The first night I woke up with intense pain to where I was biting my pillow but it subsided fast, and I have had almost no pain since, and I was able to put a fair amount of weight on it without pain by the 2nd night. On about the 3rd day swelling started to the point where I couldn't see or even feel the bones of my ankle on either side and I have thin ankles. Swelling left completely for several days, now it is back to about golf ball sized around the outside of ankle itself, no swelling on the rest of foot. I can put full weight on it with no pain at all. If I try to bend it laterally(the same motion as when I injured it) I immediately feel pain.
I really don't want to see a doctor but I'm worried about causing some permanent damage. Two weeks just seems like a long time as I normally heal very quickly. I'm curious about exercises I can do to aid healing and would appreciate any type of feedback. Thanks in advance!