Why Physiotherapy Is So Important For An Ankle sprain?
An ankle sprain is a very common injury however, it can cause problems down the road if you do not take care of it. Many people find that if they do not properly take care of an ankle sprain they have difficulty returning to sports or running or even walking and standing for months or even years. Or they can find that they have a chronic ankle problem for the rest of their lives.
An ankle sprain can happen as easily as being out for a run in Toronto and stepping off the curb wrong.
Any sharp twist to the lower leg or foot can cause an ankle sprain. The most common type of ankle sprain is a lateral ankle sprain. This means that the ligaments on the outside of the foot are overstretched because the foot turns facing inwards quickly with force.
Common Causes of Ankle Sprains
Your foot can turn over during various exercises, for example,
Walking or practicing on a lopsided surface
Falling down
Participating in sports that require cutting activities or rolling and winding of the foot, for example, trail running, b-ball, tennis, football, and soccer
During sports exercises, another person might step on your foot while you are running, making your foot bend or roll aside.
Symptoms Of An Ankle Sprain:
A lateral ankle sprain is painful. Different symptoms might include:
Swelling
Bruising
Tenderness to contact
Instability of the lower leg
How Can A Physiotherapist Diagnose Your Ankle Sprain?
Your Physiotherapist will analyze your ankle by doing a carefully skilled assessment of your foot and lower leg. A physiotherapist will look at some of the following below:
Palpation: A physio will tenderly press around the lower leg to figure out which ligaments are harmed.
Ligament Stress tests: A physio will test the stability of the ankle joint to assess if and which ligaments are injured.
Range of movement: The individual in question may likewise move your lower leg in various ways; be that as it may, a hardened, enlarged lower leg normally won’t move a lot.
Rule out Fracture: A physio will do a sequence of tests to see if it is possible that you could have also suffered a fracture and if X-Rays should be taken to rule out a fracture
Strength: A physio will assess strength so that a proper treatment plan can be given to you for your ankle to get back to full recovery
Balance/Proprioception: A physio will assess your balance proprioception and stability to see when you are ready to go back to your sport safley
Grades of Ankle Sprain:
Grade 1 Sprain (Mild)
• Slight extending and tiny tearing of the ligament strands
• Mild swelling and enlarging around the lower leg
Grade 2 Sprain (Moderate)
Partial tearing of the ligaments
Moderate swelling and enlarging around the lower leg
Difficulty with weight bearing
Grade 3 Sprain (Severe)
Complete tear of the ligament
Significant swelling and enlarging around the lower leg
Unable to weight bear
Why Visiting A Physiotherapist Is Your Best Option For A Full And Optimal Recovery From An Ankle Sprain
A significant part of the underlying assessment is to decide the specific severity of the ankle sprain and the best treatment option to get you back to action as quickly as possible. An expert hands on Physio can decide the specific area and harmed ligament by performing different tests. After identifying the type of ankle sprain, which motions need to be restored, which muscles to be strengthened and the level of proprioception in the ankle an individualized treatment program can be designed so that you can get back to all of the activities you love to do.
Ankle Sprain Treatment
Almost all ankle sprains can be treated without surgery, by approaching an expert Physiotherapist and having proper techniques applied by them. Even a complete ligament tear can heal without surgical repair if it is addressed appropriately.
A three-phase program guides treatment for ankle sprains—from mild to severe:
- Phase 1 protecting the ankle and reducing the swelling, gentle movement and gentle manual therapy
- Phase 2 includes restoring range of motion, strength and flexibility, increased manual therapy
- Phase 3 includes maintenance exercises and the gradual return to activities that do not require turning or twisting the ankle. This will be followed later by being able to do activities that require sharp, sudden turns (cutting activities)—such as tennis, basketball, or football.
This three-phase treatment program may take just 2 weeks to complete for minor sprains, or up to 6 to 12 weeks for more severe injuries.
Shawn Williams Physiotherapy in Toronto will use a combination of manual therapy techniques, dry needling, acupuncture and specific individualized exercises to restore movement and strength and get you back to your active life. Our physiotherapy sessions are one on one for a full hour with the focus 100 percent on the patients recovery. Many other clinics will provide treatment to multiple people at the same time.
What If My Ankle Sprain Is Left Untreated?
An untreated ankle sprain may affect your ability to stand, walk and run later. An unstable ankle from a previous ankle sprain will increase your risk for future sprains. Untreated sprains can lead to a chronically unstable ankle joint. This condition increases your chances of developing conditions, such as:
- Degenerative changes in your ankle joint
- Arthritis in your ankle
- Chronic inflammation
- Recurring Ankle Sprains
- Achelles Tendonitis
- Tibial nerve mechanosensitivity
- Shin splints
- Plantar Fasciopathy
- Increased risk of knee injuries
- Increase risk of hip injuries
Untreated ankle sprains may also make it feel as though your ankle is always about to give out. This instability increases your risk of re-injuring your ankle.
If you have recently suffered an ankle sprain finding an expert hands on physiotherapist is going to be your quickest way to get back to an active lifestyle as quickly as possible and prevent future injuries down the road. Whether you have an acute ankle sprain or have been trying to get back to running for months only to find your ankle pain is getting in the way contact Shawn Williams Physiotherapy in Toronto for a Free Phone Consultation to discuss you ankle and how a manual physiotherapy approach can help you.
