If you perform an activity or sport that involves rapid changes in direction, such as volleyball, football or basketball, you are in a higher-than-normal risk group for ankle sprains. About 85 percent of sprains harm the lateral ligaments in your ankle -- namely the anterior talofibular, posterior tibiofibular and calcaneofibular ligaments. Fortunately, 80 to 85 percent of ankle sprain injuries do not require surgery, according to the "Journal of Athletic Training." If your injury is severe enough to necessitate surgery, expect an extensive rehabilitation program after your operation. Always follow your doctor's guidance when rehabilitating your ankle after surgery.
Isometric Exercises
Post-surgery rehabilitation will include isometric exercises for your ankle. These improve strength and help minimize muscle atrophy. Hold your foot in a position with your toes pointing up, known as dorsi flexion, and then down, known as plantar flexion. As you heal, progress to pointing your toes inward and then outward. Hold each exercise for a count of six to eight.
Isotonic Exercises
Eventually progress to isotonic exercises done with and without resistance tubing. Pain is the basic guideline for when it's OK to progress to isotonic exercises. Always wait until you get a medical practitioner's approval before progressing to the next level. When using resistance tubing, place it around your foot near your toes and perform exercises with your ankle. For example, move your ankle out and up and then back to start for a certain number of repetitions. Do the number of repetitions prescribed by your doctor or therapist.
Proprioception Exercises
Proprioception exercises will likely be part of your recovery regimen. Proprioception means knowing where your body is in space. Loss of proprioception causes balance problems. The more severe your injury, the worse these problems are likely to be. These exercises typically start by standing with your eyes closed, and they progress to standing -- still with your eyes closed -- on the foot on which you had surgery.
Final Phase
The final phase of your rehabilitation program prepares you to return to normal activities. These exercises may include walking on a treadmill; aqua walking or jogging in a pool; riding an exercise bike; or doing exercises in which you practice several motions, such as hopping, calf raises on the injured leg or stepping up and over or forward and sideways on a high step. In general, you need to have 80 to 90 percent of your full strength restored on the injured foot to consider starting this phase of rehabilitation. You also need full range of motion in the injured ankle. Lack of pain is another guideline. Always wait until your healthcare provider approves of a new therapy phase to begin, and perform only the exercises prescribed.
References
- Workers' Compensation Board; Procedure: Ankle Ligament Reconstruction; January 2005
- "Journal of Athletic Training"; Surgical Considerations in the Treatment of Ankle Instability; Judith F. Baumhauer, Todd O'Brien; Oct--Dec 2002
- Loma Linda University Department of Physical Therapy: Ankle -- Lateral Ligament Reconstruction and Rehabilitation; Joe Godges, Robert Klingman
- Nicholas Institute of Sports Medicine and Athletic Trauma; Ankle Sprains; March 2007
- "Encyclopedia of Sports Medicine and Science"; Ankle Acute Injuries; Karim Khan, Peter Bruker; March 1998
