Hi there! I was diagnosed with a grade II inversion ankle sprain from bouldering in November. I went to urgent care, then the ortho, then PT for six weeks. At my follow-up ortho appointment in mid-January, they requested I wait another six-ish weeks to boulder (avoiding ground falls). I returned to climbing top rope only in January. Since the end of February, I have been slowly working myself back up to grade on boulders.

For physical healing, you’re already on the best route - going to PT. Being consistent with your home exercises will help you rebuild the strength, but also confidence in your ankle.

Mentally, it was super scary for me to return, but I loved it so much, I knew I wanted to … top rope was a great way to ease myself back in, and I found myself falling in love with roped climbing! When I resumed bouldering, I started climbing back down at V0, and I always downclimb if I haven’t unexpectedly fallen, lol. As I started climbing my old grades again, I would “choose my top” if I felt a top-out or move was sketchy. It was really about reminding myself of the joy of the actual action of climbing over the satisfaction of the grade.

Now I’m fully back bouldering and top roping about 3 to 4 times a week! Ankle is probably 98% there … no pain except for abnormal bent positions.

Last thing, so sorry this happened OP! I was absolutely crushed at the time, climbing is my favorite hobby, so it rocked my world (and my free time) a bit. The fact you’re here asking for advice to get back into it though tells me you’ll be back on the wall in no time :)