Physiotherapy Goals for Ankle Injuries

Thanks to advancing physiotherapy and health technologies, a number of common sports injuries no longer spell the end of an athlete’s career. An example of such frequent injuries is a sprained ankle that can absolutely affect one’s ability to properly walk, run, jump, and even balance on their feet. During physiotherapy, there are a set of goals that guide the treatment process and therapy sessions.

 Decreasing Inflammation and Pain

Provided that the ankle sprain does not involve severely torn ligaments or bone fractures and is mainly due to soft tissue injury, the initial line of treatment focuses on RICE—Rest, Ice, Compression, and Elevation. These actions aim to reduce pain, decrease swelling, and prevent further injury. The patient may also be prescribed anti-inflammatory medications and pain relievers for better relief.

Regaining a Full Range of Motion

After the pain and swelling has been managed, it’s time to recondition the muscles and ligaments in order to regain the joint’s optimum range of motion. Since mature scar formation takes approximately six weeks, physiotherapists make the most of this period by providing their clients with suitable exercises and massages that shape or mould the scar tissue in a way that allows for good ankle movement.

Restoring Muscle Strength and Power

As soon as a physiotherapist clearly establishes the limits of their client’s joint movement and ankle healing, they may move on to the strengthening phase of the therapy. The injured ankle’s normal muscle strength and function can be restored using weight-bearing exercises and resistance loaded exercises. In some cases, other muscles and joints may likewise require strengthening for optimal performance.