ADELAIDE midfielder Curtly Hampton will miss as much as three months after having surgery to repair his injured right ankle.

The 24-year-old suffered a high ankle sprain as he was brought to ground in a tackle from Brisbane Lions youngster Ben Keays midway through the third term in round nine.

Hampton limped straight into the rooms and emerged with ice strapped around his lower leg, taking no further part in the 80-point win.

Crows high performance manager Matt Hass said surgery was deemed necessary.

"After gathering all the available information, it was decided the best course of action for Curtly was to have surgery to repair the damage," Hass told afc.com.au on Monday evening.

"Unfortunately for Curtly and the club, it means he spends a significant amount of time on the sidelines."

Hampton, whose 2016 campaign was marred by a stress reaction in his foot, featured in the opening nine games this season.

The 60-gamer joined the Crows during the 2015 NAB AFL Trade Period from Greater Western Sydney, where he played 51 matches in four seasons.