Lateral Ankle Sprains

							Rehabilitation Exercises
Consultation with a healthcare professional is
recommended before undertaking any home exercise
program.


                                                                                    Lateral Ankle Sprains
Following the reduction of pain and swelling, a therapist
will typically focus on increasing muscle strength with
proprioception and functional exercises.

                           An active muscular
                           strengthening program
                           may be designed to
                           strengthen the muscles
                           that move the ankle
                           in all directions.    In
                           addition, the therapist
                           may include a number
figure 2
                           of     weight   bearing
exercises using a wobble board (Figure 2).

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                             Proprioception is the
                             perception of movement
                             and position of the
                             body. The sensory nerve
                             endings that mediate
                             proprioception are lo-
                             cated in the muscles
figure 3                     and tendons.      When
                             a lateral ankle sprain
occurs, proprioception in the foot and ankle is often
impaired. Ankle exercises such as balancing on one
leg and using a rocker board may be prescribed.
(Figure 3)

Finally, as pain subsides, functional exercises such as
jumping, hopping, twisting and figure-eight running
may also be employed.

* Remember, it is important to consult with a
healthcare professional before proceeding with any
home exercise program.
                                                                                                               • Use crutches if you are unable to walk without
                                                   What Causes Lateral Ankle Sprains?                            a limp
                                                                                                               • Analgesics
                                                   Lateral Ankle Sprains typically occur during activities
                                                                                                               • Early range of motion exercises
                                                   that require rapid changes in direction on uneven
                                                                                                               • Muscle strengthening and conditioning

Lateral Ankle Sprains
                                                   terrain, or when landing from a jump. Other factors
                                                                                                               • Proprioception/balance exercises
                                                   that may cause a Lateral Ankle Sprain include:
                                                                                                               • Functional exercises as a transition to return
                                                     • Previous history of ankle sprains                         sport
                                                     • Weak muscles in the ankle/lower leg
                                                     • In appropriate/worn out footwear
The most common type of ankle injury is a                                                                    How are Lateral Ankle Sprains prevented?
                                                     • Anatomical and functional factors mostly
sprain. A sprain is the stretching or partial          attributed to under-pronation                         There are several ways to prevent lateral ankle
                                                                                                             sprains including:
tear of the ligaments (the fibrous bands
                                                                                                               • Appropriate warm-up and stretching before
connecting bones that form a joint). The           What are the Signs & Symptoms of Lateral                      exercising
most common sprain occurs when weight is           Ankle Sprains?                                              • Maintaining appropriate calf muscle flexibility
                                                                                                                 and muscular strength and endurance
applied to a foot on an uneven surface, and        The most common signs & symptoms of a Lateral
                                                                                                               • Using appropriate footwear (high-top athletic
                                                   Ankle Sprain include:
the ankle rolls out (inversion). (Figure 1) This                                                                 footwear with custom or over-the-counter foot
                                                     • Pain, tenderness and rapid swelling in the                orthoses)
injures the lateral (outside) ankle ligaments
                                                       outside of the ankle that can progress to affect        • Ankle bracing
and is called a Lateral Ankle Sprain. It is one        the entire ankle                                        • Proprioception/balance exercises
of the most common injuries in sport.                • A popping sound or tearing sensation at the             • Ankle taping
                                                       time of the injury                                      • Generally, there is a greater risk of re-injury in
                                                     • Bruising around the ankle that may spread to              the year following an ankle sprain and a brace
                                                       the heel                                                  is advised for prevention
                                                     • Difficulty performing weight-bearing activities


                                                   How are Lateral Ankle Sprains treated?                       SportMed carries a variety of bracing and
                                                   Consultation with a healthcare professional is               rehabilitation products that are appropriate for
                                                   recommended as well as discontinuation of the                chronic and acute ankle sprains including:
                                                   activity that caused the pain. Your healthcare
                                                                                                                  • Ankle braces from Aircast, Active
                                                   professional may recommend any or all of the
                                                   following treatment regimes:                                     Ankle, ASO, Stromgren
                                                                                                                  • Foot orthoses (over-the-counter
                                                     • If you are unable to bear weight, you may
                                                       require an X-ray and should consult with your                and custom)
                                                       physician                                                  • Wobble boards
                                                     • R.I.C.E (rest, ice, compression, elevation)                • Exercise tubing
                                                                                                                  • A selection of hot/cold gel packs
                                                                                                                  • Taping supplies
        figure 1