Ankle sprains are some of the most common injuries, making up a significant portion of visits to emergency departments, especially among both the general public and athletes. These injuries can happen to anyone, whether you’re a weekend warrior, a seasoned athlete, or just walking down the street and miss a step. Twisting the ankle inward, known as a lateral sprain, is the most typical type of injury, and without proper management, it can have long-lasting effects. Despite being a common injury, many people underestimate how crucial it is to take care of a sprained ankle, often ignoring it or assuming it will heal on its own. Unfortunately, that’s not always the case, and improper care can lead to recurring problems.

If you’ve sprained your ankle before, you know how frustrating it can be. The immediate pain, swelling, and inability to walk comfortably can throw off your daily routine. And what’s worse is that many people think it’s okay to just “walk it off,” only to face issues down the track. Ankle sprains usually require physiotherapy treatment to achieve the best outcomes. Physiotherapists play a vital role by guiding patients through the rehabilitation process and ensuring they regain full function without the risk of ongoing instability.

the Role of Physiotherapy

Let’s break down what actually happens when you sprain your ankle. When your foot rolls inward, it stretches or tears the ligaments on the outside of your ankle, which are meant to stabilise the joint. These ligaments are like rubber bands holding everything together, and when they’re overstretched or torn, it results in pain, swelling, and often a sense of instability. You might feel like your ankle is going to give way, especially when walking on uneven surfaces.

Now, here’s where physiotherapy comes into the picture. Physiotherapists are trained to assess the severity of the sprain and help you manage the injury in the short and long term. They create tailored treatment plans that not only address the pain and swelling but also work on preventing future sprains. This might involve strengthening the muscles around the ankle, improving your balance, and working on proprioception (your body’s ability to sense movement and position).

The Importance of Early and Proper Treatment

Despite how often ankle sprains happen, it’s surprising that only about 50% of people actually seek medical attention. That’s concerning because when ankle sprains aren’t treated properly, they can lead to chronic instability. This means that you might experience persistent pain, swelling, and even recurrent sprains for months, or sometimes even years, after the initial injury.

In the acute phase, a lateral ankle sprain can cause severe pain and limit your ability to walk. In some cases, there’s even concern about possible fractures, but the good news is that only about 15% of ankle sprain cases involve a fracture. To help healthcare providers assess whether a fracture might be present, there’s something called the Ottawa Ankle Rules. These guidelines are used to determine whether an x-ray is necessary. Interestingly, the most accurate diagnosis of an ankle sprain usually happens around four or five days after the injury when the swelling has reduced, so immediate x-rays or ultrasounds aren’t always needed.

If you’ve just sprained your ankle, you’ll likely be feeling a combination of pain, frustration, and concern about how long it will take to recover. This is where early treatment plays a key role in speeding up the healing process. Instead of waiting for the injury to “go away” on its own, it’s best to get it checked out as soon as possible. The quicker you address the injury, the less likely it is that you’ll deal with ongoing issues.

Physiotherapy: Essential in Managing Ankle Sprains

Let’s dive into the nitty-gritty of how physiotherapy can help. A structured rehab program designed by a physiotherapist can significantly reduce your recovery time and minimise the chance of re-injury. Physiotherapists take a holistic approach to your recovery, focusing on not only the ankle but how the entire body moves and compensates for the injury.

1. Acute Management (First Few Days)

Immediately after the injury, managing pain and swelling is your top priority. The old RICE (Rest, Ice, Compression, Elevation) method is no longer the go-to standard for managing sprains. Instead, we now follow the PEACE and LOVE protocols.

• Protect: In the initial days, you want to protect the injured ankle. This could mean using crutches or wearing a brace to offload the joint and allow the ligaments time to start healing.
• Elevate: Elevating your ankle (keeping it higher than your heart) helps reduce swelling by encouraging fluid to drain from the area.
• Avoid Anti-Inflammatories: You might think that popping some ibuprofen or aspirin would help, but anti-inflammatory medication can actually interfere with the natural tissue regeneration process.
• Compress: Wrapping the ankle with a compression bandage or using supportive taping can help limit swelling.
• Educate: A huge part of the recovery process is understanding what’s going on in your body. Your physio will educate you about your injury and what you can expect throughout recovery.

2. Sub-Acute Management (After the First Week)

Once the acute phase has passed, you’ll start moving into what we call the sub-acute phase of rehab. During this time, your physiotherapist will focus on restoring your range of motion, strength, and balance. The goal is to get you moving again without causing more pain.

• Load: Introducing gentle movement and weight-bearing exercises is crucial during this phase. Your physio will guide you through exercises that improve mobility without aggravating the injury. These movements are designed to help maintain joint flexibility, prevent stiffness, and begin the process of strengthening the surrounding muscles.
• Optimism: Believe it or not, your mindset can play a huge role in how quickly you recover. Keeping a positive outlook and trusting in the process will go a long way in ensuring your rehabilitation is successful.
• Vascularisation: This is just a fancy term for improving blood flow to the injured area. Your physio might suggest some light cardio exercises, like cycling or swimming, to keep your heart pumping and help with healing.
• Exercise: Gradual, targeted exercises are introduced during this stage to prevent re-injury and promote healing. This is where the real work happens in terms of regaining your strength and stability.

3. Late-Stage Rehabilitation (Getting Back to Normal)

In the final stage of rehab, your physiotherapist will focus on returning you to your normal activities, whether that’s going back to sport, work, or just being able to walk without pain. This stage involves more advanced exercises that challenge your balance, coordination, and strength.

Return to Sport/Work: The goal here is to ensure you can safely return to your previous level of activity without the fear of re-injury. This might include exercises that mimic the movements you do in your sport or job, ensuring that your ankle is strong and stable enough to handle the load.

Why Comprehensive Rehabilitation is Key

One of the biggest mistakes people make when recovering from an ankle sprain is not following a structured rehab program. It’s easy to get advice from friends, family, or the internet, but the truth is, everyone’s injury is different. What worked for someone else may not work for you. Without proper guidance, you might be setting yourself up for a longer recovery time or, even worse, repeated sprains in the future.

A well-rounded rehabilitation program is essential for improving your joint’s range of motion, proprioception, and neuromuscular control. These are all fancy terms for ensuring your ankle moves the way it should, you have good balance, and your muscles work together properly. Without these things, you’re more likely to sprain your ankle again.

Physiotherapy doesn’t just focus on the injured ankle. It looks at how your whole body functions and how it compensates for the injury. For instance, if you’re limping because of your sprained ankle, other muscles in your body are working harder to pick up the slack. Your physio will work with you to address these imbalances, ensuring your entire body is functioning optimally.

The Role of Manual Therapy

Manual therapy can be a helpful part of the rehabilitation process, but it’s not a magic fix. It’s important to understand that while things like massage, joint mobilisation, and soft tissue work can provide temporary relief, they need to be combined with an exercise-based rehab program for long-term results. Your physio will use manual therapy techniques to help reduce pain and improve mobility, but the real progress comes from doing the prescribed exercises.

Conclusion

Ankle sprains are more than just a minor inconvenience – they require proper attention and care to prevent long-term issues. Physiotherapy is vital in managing these injuries from the acute phase through to full recovery. By following evidence-based guidelines and working with a qualified physiotherapist, you can expect better outcomes, reduced risk of chronic instability, and a smoother return to your daily activities.

If you’ve recently sprained your ankle, don’t hesitate to reach out for professional help. Our team at XPhysio Frenchs Forest are experts when it comes to this. Give us a call today – we’re here to guide you through every step of the way and get you back on your feet as soon as possible!