Managing your Lateral Ankle Sprain
Treatment
- The management of lateral ligament injuries of all three grades follows the same principles.
- After minimizing initial swelling and reducing pain, the aims are to restore ankle range, muscle strength and proprioception, and then commence a progressive sport-specific exercise program.
- Initial management: RICE – raise, ice, compression, elevate
- Treatment techniques utilized:
o Massage – to reduced swelling
o Joint mobilization – to restore ankle range of movement
o Strengthening exercises – calf and peroneal muscles
o Proprioception exercises
o Functional exercises when pain has completely diminished – jumping, hopping, twisting, figure-eight running.
o Running programs
o Sports-specific exercises
- Any athlete who has had a significant lateral ligament injury shoulder use protective taping or bracing while play sport for a minimum of six to 12 months post-injury.
Prognosis: most lateral ankle sprains take 2-6 weeks to heal, but grade 3 sprains can take as long as 12 weeks.