Ankle injuries can be a new sneaker problem
When you don’t know the problem, you will continue down the wrong path and your ankle will just get worse
Chronic ankle instability may be defined as persistent pain, swelling and/or giving way with recurrent sprains for at least 12 months after the initial ankle sprain.
Dr Frank Rizzo
Risk factors that may predispose you to a lateral ankle sprain can be classified as either intrinsic or extrinsic. Extrinsic factors include certain sports 🏀 or environmental characteristics. Basketball, indoor volleyball, field sports, and climbing have been shown to have the highest incidence of ankle sprains.¹
Modifiable intrinsic risk factors include limited ankle range of motion, reduced proprioception, deficiencies in postural control/balance, and reduced strength. These modifiable risk factors should be identified and included in a prevention or rehabilitation programme to mitigate the risk for recurrent sprains.¹
Research has shown that 3-5 days of rest, ice, compression and elevation with early weight bearing, after which active exercise is commenced, leads to the fastest resumption of work and daily activities. Exercise therapy 🏃 has also been shown to enhance the efficacy of manual joint mobilisation. 👐 Use of a functional support ie bracing or taping (4-6 weeks) and exercise therapy provides better outcomes when compared with immobilisation.¹
Surgery 🙅 is generally only advised for patients that require quick recovery ie professional athletes, or whose complaints are not resolved by conservative treatment. To reduce the development of long-term injury-associated symptoms, it’s important to obtain adequate diagnosis and treatment.¹
