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Helpful resources from the Macquarie Physiotherapy Team

Ankle Sprain – Part Two

person-sitting-on-sofa-holding-ankle-in-pain

As promised in Ankle Sprain – Part One below is some information regarding the rehabilitation process following an ankle sprain and some exercises that can be beneficial.

Why bother with rehabilitation?

Following an ankle sprain your Physiotherapist will use a range of treatment techniques to help:

Reduce ankle swelling and pain.
Restore ankle range of motion, strength, and flexibility.
Return to activities and sport.

Treatment programs may take just 2 weeks to complete for minor sprains, or up to 6 to 12 weeks for more severe injuries.

Surgical Treatment

Surgical treatment for ankle sprains is rare. Surgery is reserved for injuries that fail to respond to nonsurgical treatment.

Surgical options may include:

Arthroscopy: The removal of any loose fragments of bone or cartilage, or parts of the ligament that may be caught in the joint.
Reconstruction: Repair of the torn ligament

The Exercises

Rehabilitation exercises help to prevent stiffness and increase ankle strength and stability after a ligament sprain.

Here are some simple exercises to try following an ankle sprain:

Range of Motion: Move your ankle up and down, side to side, in circles.
Balance: Balance on your affected ankle and try hold your balance for 30 seconds.
Heel raises: Raise onto your toes 20 times.
Calf stretch: Hold your calf stretch for 30 seconds.

If you have suffered an injury or are experiencing pain please follow up with your doctor or a qualified health professional for an appropriate assessment prior to beginning any type of exercise or treatment program.