Ankle Sprain

Ankle sprains are common injuries that occur when the foot twists or turns beyond its normal range of motion. This causes the ligaments of the ankle to be overstretched or torn. The outer ankle ligaments are the most commonly injured. An ankle sprain typically takes between 2 to 8 weeks to heal. Recurrent ankle sprains affect approximately 73% of people. It is estimated that nearly 23,000 Americans experience ankle sprains daily. Of all sport related injuries, ankle sprains account for nearly 45% of them.

What are the symptoms?

• Pain
• Swelling
• Inability to stand or walk
• Throbbing
• Stiffness

How can a Physical Therapist help?

• Educate you on the proper use of cold therapy to manage the swelling and symptoms
• Instruct you on better joint safety and support
• Teach you exercises for joint stability and strength
• Use various treatment methods to control pain and swelling such as manual therapy, modalities, and flexibility exercises
• Instruct you on the proper gait sequencing to facilitate a normal cadence
• Work on improving your standing balance skills