Chronic ankle instability and acute ankle sprains can lead to pain and difficulty performing daily tasks as well as participating in physical activity. The conditions are the result of failing to treat an ankle sprain or having reoccurring sprains. Continued ankle sprains stretch the ankle ligaments to the point where they are no longer functioning normally. Rehabilitation is commonly used as a conservative means of treating these conditions.
Chronic Ankle Instability and Acute Sprains
Chronic ankle instability can lead to acute sprains and to the ankle giving way when walking or participating in physical activity. Ankle instability occurs when an ankle injury has not healed or been rehabilitated properly, and the ligaments become weak and lack normal balance. Rehabilitation is often necessary to retrain your tissues to balance and strengthen your ankle and the surrounding muscles.
Physical Therapy
Your doctor will prescribe physical therapy for treating your ankle condition, and it typically lasts about six weeks. Your doctor will then receive a report from your physical therapist and decide a further course of action -- which may include more therapy. Physical therapy can involve exercises, ultrasound stimulation, heat or cold modality, massage, myofascial release and the use of exercise machines. Your physician will order the specific activities. Participation is aimed at reducing pain and increasing function in your ankle while increasing strength, balance and range of motion. If you participate in sports, your physical therapist may also include training specific to it.
Physical Therapy Exercises
During physical therapy, you may use a treadmill to practice walking properly. Weight machines may be used to help increase lower body strength. Other exercises may involve resistance bands, which can be used to strengthen and increase the function of your ankle. You may also be asked to write the alphabet using your ankle, perform ankle circles and pumps, pick objects up using your feet, scrunch a towel using your foot and ankle and complete calf raises and stretches that can help to strengthen the muscles that connect to your ankle. Strong calf muscles can decrease the occurrence of ankle sprains. You may also perform single-leg balance exercises, some performed on a wobble board to increase your sense of balance.
Other Considerations
Your physician or physical therapist may recommend the use of an ankle brace, which can help prevent you ankle from giving way. Ankle braces are normally lightweight and fit in most shoes -- they are normally a combination of Velcro, laces and a soft nylon material. At physical therapy, you may be given a home exercise program. Complete these exercises daily after physical therapy is over to help control your ankle instability. In cases where physical therapy has failed, your physician may recommend surgery to repair or reconstruct your damaged ankle ligaments.
