Sprained Ankle is the most common sports injury. It, unfortunately, is also the most ignored injury. Waiting for the swelling to subside is not enough treatment.
The ankle joint consists of ligaments that connect the lateral and medial side of the tibia (shin bone) and talus (ankle bone). Ligaments connect bones, prevent friction, and limit the range of motion.
When you sprain your ankle, the joint exceeds its range of motion and tears the ligaments. Since the ligaments are no longer able to stabilize the joint, without proper treatment, the risk of repeating the injury is as high as 70%.
The rehabilitation for sprained ankle starts with treating the inflammation, then recovering range of motion with balance training, and then training muscles around joints. However, such rehabilitation often oversees the importance of bones below the ankle.
When you sprain your ankle, the complex bones in your foot lose support and shift away from where they should be. This alters ankle alignment, limiting the joint movement even after pain and inflammation subside.
If you feel pain or stiffness when squatting or tiptoeing even after months from your injury, that can be a misalignment of your body. The foot is your body’s foundation.
Even a tiny change in the bone position can affect knees, pelvis, and lower back. It is important to fix alignment before range-of-motion or muscle-building exercises, in order to prevent injuries and promote effective healing.
Physical therapists from FuncPhysio have experience with athletes and dancers who experience multiple injuries. If you have a history of a sprained ankle or a habit of injuring your ankle, please visit us today!
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