An ankle fracture is painful and puts a hold on your physical activity. An ankle fracture can put you in a cast for six weeks, and if surgery is necessary, you may be healing for two to three months. Rehabilitation is an important part of healing. You must regain any lost range of motion as well as get your strength back. This means working the muscles and ligaments of your ankle. The Gazelle is an elliptical trainer that works the large muscles of your ankle and foot in a way that is beneficial to rehabilitation.
Benefits
The Gazelle elliptical trainer works in a fashion to simulate walking. Cardiovascular exercise becomes an important part of ankle fracture rehab because while the fracture is healing, you are forced to become less active than normal. This can result in losses of cardiorespiratory fitness as well as muscle mass. Working on the Gazelle not only helps you regain cardiorespiratory fitness, it can also help to rehab the ligaments and muscles of the ankles. It does this in a low-impact manner that is adaptable to your rehabilitation status. The machine works by using your hands and legs for movement. Because of this, you can reduce the amount of work your ankles are doing by increasing the use of your arms.
Mechanics
The Gazelle elliptical simulates the five phases of walking. All of these phases include movement of the ankle joint, including use of the major ankle muscles and connective tissue. The Gazelle trains the tibialis anterior, the large muscle located on the shin, as well as the gastrocnemius, the muscle on the calves. As you move through the phases of walking, your ankle joint moves from dorsiflexion to plantarflexion, working your muscles and ligaments. This action is simulated on the Gazelle elliptical.
Timing
Walking is encouraged as soon as it can be tolerated after an ankle injury. As rehabilitation duration increases, jogging can be initiated as soon as you are able to walk without any limp. The Gazelle elliptical can provide the appropriate transition from walking to jogging. By increasing the length and speed of your stride, you can begin training for running on the Gazelle.
Considerations
To use the Gazelle elliptical trainer appropriately during rehab, consider working with a physical therapist. This is a professional who can assure that you are doing the right amount of work to effectively regain strength and range of motion. A physical therapist can also assure the safety of your program.
References
- Foundations of Athletic Training: Prevention, Assessment and Managment; Marcia K. Anderson, et al.
- Fitness Quest: Tony Little's Gazelle Edge
- FootEducation.com: Biomechanics of Walking
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