Ankle Sprains
Understanding your ankle sprain is the first step to treating it correctly.
At Complete Podiatry, we take the time to evaluate your ankle sprain and examine how it happened before providing you with a complete management plan for your recovery and the prevention of future sprains.
Ankle sprains can ruin lives
It has happened to many of us at one time or another: a sudden twist or roll of the ankle after landing awkwardly leads to a painful over-stretching of the ankle ligaments and down you go.
It can happen in a fraction of a moment but can leave you in pain for weeks at a time and significantly reduce your ability to live your life.
For some people, this seemingly minor injury can be the start of a painful, problematic ankle that is with them for the rest of their lives.
Not always a simple injury
Not every ankle sprain is the same and it is vital that you get your ankle properly assessed following your injury to ensure you get the best possible care.
For more information on ankle sprains, read this blog.
After our Podiatrist has assessed your ankle sprain, they will develop a comprehensive, personal management plan to help you recover from your ankle injury and prevent it from occurring again.
Prevent the sprain from happening again
All too often we see clients whose ankle injuries have not been taken seriously enough when they occur and they are left with unstable and weak ankles.
When it comes to effectively treating ankle sprains, the Podiatrist at Complete Podiatry usually follow 4 simple phases:
Phase 1: Offload the damaged tissues
- Reduced activities
- Supportive footwear
- Taping
- Moon boot in severe cases
Phase 2: Improve the health of the surrounding ankle tissues
- Foot mobilisation therapy
- Shockwave therapy
- Trigger point dry needling
- Range of motion exercises
Phase 3: Make the tissues stronger
- Progressive strength and conditioning exercises based on the state of recovery
Phase 4: Return to sport with bracing
- A slow, structured return to sports
- Ankle braces to support and protect the healing ligaments
For the first 6 or so months after an ankle sprain, your ankle will be much more vulnerable to repeat sprains as the ligaments will not yet have completely returned to their original health and strength.
At Complete Podiatry, we want to help you make a full and complete recovery and help you prevent further damage to your ankles.
Not all ankle braces are the same
In order to protect your ankles, we often recommend some form of ankle bracing to protect the repairing ligaments. There are many types of ankle braces that can be used, each with its own benefits and limitations. Our Podiatrist will help you choose the most appropriate one for your needs
The EXO-L Lateral Ankle Brace
Our Podiatrists are specially trained to prescribe and fit the most advanced ankle brace on the market; the EXO-L Ankle Brace. This brace is being used by elite athletes worldwide to protect their ankles and prolong their sporting careers.