Sprains of the instep with swelling can usually heal spontaneously. Most instep sprains are soft tissue injuries, with localized skin swelling, pain, and limited movement, as well as relative difficulty walking with weight for a short period of time, usually requiring rest and elevation of the affected limb. If left untreated, the patient can heal on his own, but the recovery time is relatively long, usually 1 to 2 weeks. During the recovery period, the patient should not walk with weight, as this will cause recurrence and aggravation of symptoms and affect tissue repair. Manual therapy, such as cold compresses, medication, and physical therapy, will result in a significantly faster recovery and better tissue repair.