Ankle Sprains: How Physical Therapy Can Speed Up Recovery

Have you recently rolled your ankle or have a chronically weak ankle? At Legacy Physical Therapy & Wellness, our physical therapists can help you resolve a mild problem that goes away quickly and thoroughly and becomes an ongoing issue. Our team specializes in physical therapy for ankle sprains, ensuring comprehensive care and recovery.

The severity of the injury depends on the severity of damage to the ligaments supporting the ankle. An ankle sprain is often a minor injury, but proper rehabilitation at Legacy Physical Therapy & Wellness can help prevent reoccurrence.

Improper or inadequate rehabilitation after an initial sprain increases re-injury chances. It is suggested that up to 70% of individuals who sustain a lateral ankle sprain may develop chronic instability, which makes them susceptible to future injuries. Physical therapy for ankle sprains can significantly reduce this risk by providing targeted treatment and prevention strategies.

Call Legacy Physical Therapy & Wellness today to request an appointment with one of our highly skilled physical therapists. We are committed to helping you get the results you need to resume running without limits!

Understanding Ankle Sprains and Their Impact on Activity

Ankle sprains often result from faulty steps while walking, running, or stepping on uneven terrain. The injury occurs when the ankle rolls, twists, or turns awkwardly to the outer aspect of the ankle (lateral ankle sprain). This sudden stretch leads to partial or complete tearing of the ligaments supporting the ankle joint.

A sprain can also result from a trauma, a deceleration (slowing down) movement, or a sudden change in direction. The severity of the injury will determine the degree of pain, inflammation, and ability to move the joints where the injury occurred.

Approximately 85% of all ankle sprains are inversion sprains (i.e., rolling outward). This type of injury damages the outside (lateral) ligaments and may restrict the joint’s movement. The joint restrictions will, in turn, affect your ability to perform your normal activities and may also lead to chronic ankle instability and new injuries that further impact your function.

For example, a loss of dorsiflexion (i.e., pulling your toes toward your shins) following an ankle sprain is a risk factor for plantar fasciitis. It is also possible that the changes in ankle motion impair knee function and make you more susceptible to knee injuries.

The Importance of Proper Rehabilitation for Ankle Sprains

Too often, people avoid getting help for minor injuries fearing they will be told to take a break from doing what they enjoy or that they are overreacting.

Others will try ignoring or pushing through the injury, which can make you more susceptible to another ankle sprain or a new injury when it comes to ankle sprains. Our physical therapists understand how to help resolve your injury, old or new, and will teach you the exercises you need to keep you injury-free.

Several studies have investigated the most common risk factors for chronic ankle sprains, and they are listed below:

• Previous history of ankle sprain
• Lack or loss of range of motion (ROM) and/or laxity in the joint
• Impairments in muscle strength and muscle-reaction time (especially glutes, lower leg, and foot muscles)
• Impairments in postural sway, balance, and proprioception (i.e., perception or awareness of the position and movement of the body)
• Being overweight

Preventing future sprains depends on the severity of the injury and how thorough the rehabilitation was.

Preventing Re-injury: The Role of Physical Therapy for Ankle Sprains

The initial stages of physical therapy will focus on restoring any lost motion, reducing swelling, and using all available treatments to alleviate any pain you may experience.

For acute ankle sprains, manual joint mobilizations reduce pain and increase the dorsiflexion range of motion. For chronic ankle sprains, manual techniques can help to restore lost motion in the ankle and/or surrounding joints and improve overall function and performance.

Our program will also look for any changes in your gait pattern that may make it difficult for you to move around freely. Dysfunctional movement patterns can last for years and lead to re-injury and potentially other injuries.

Next, we will design a comprehensive program that includes restoring range of motion, strengthening, neuromuscular control, proprioceptive responses, and running-specific exercises. Our physical therapists will show you therapeutic exercises to address any underlying issue, such as a weakness contributing to altered movement patterns, balance issues, and overall susceptibility to more injuries.

Schedule Your Physical Therapy Appointment Today

Whether you sustained an acute sprain or have a chronic problem, physical therapy is the answer to lasting results and long-term relief. Contact Legacy Physical Therapy & Wellness today to schedule an appointment and find out more about how physical therapy can help relieve your ankle sprain and keep you injury-free!