Why timely physiotherapy is necessary after an ankle sprain
While ankle sprains are one of the most common injuries for athletes, they are also frequent during every day activities. The majority of ankle sprains happen when your foot rolls inward, resulting in an inversion sprain. This causes the ligaments of your ankle to be stretched and/or torn. Inversion ankle sprains will injure the ligaments on the outside of your ankle. There are three main ligaments on the outside of your ankle joint, with the anterior talofibular ligament (ATFL) being the most commonly injured. However, the other two ligaments, the calcaneofibular ligament (CFL) and posterior talofibular ligament (PTFL), can also be involved.
Alternatively, eversion sprains involve the ligaments on the inside of your ankle and high ankle sprains involve the ligaments between your two lower leg bones. These types of sprains can occur when your ankle rolls outward and/or is excessively bent upward. Though eversion sprains and high ankle sprains are not as common as inversion sprains, and are more likely to include an associated bone fracture.
Regardless of the type of sprain, most of them result in pain, swelling, and bruising. Seeing a physiotherapist as soon as possible will help limit the pain and swelling, usually advising ice, elevation, and gentle compression. My examination will also determine whether you should have an x-ray for a possible fracture, the severity of the sprain, and which ligaments are involved. Following the assessment, I will advise you on which activities should be avoided and provide a set of safe exercises that will promote proper healing.
Sprained Ankle Rehab
Your ankle sprain physiotherapy is not done after the pain and swelling have gone away. Failing to adequately strengthen the ankle after a sprain will cause lasting weakness. This will increase the possibility of a recurrent sprain, which is highest in the first year following an initial sprain. Almost half of all repeat sprains result in chronic pain and disability, emphasizing the importance of properly rehabbing an ankle sprain.
Ankle Sprain Rehab
If you have sprained your ankle recently or feel as though you did not adequately rehab an old ankle sprain, book an initial physiotherapy assessment at The Massage Clinic Health Centres today.
Alyson Schwichtenberg
Registered Physiotherapist