An ankle sprain is an injury to the tough bands of tissue (ligaments) that surround and connect the bones of the leg to the foot. The injury typically happens when you accidentally twist or turn your ankle in an awkward way. This can stretch or tear the ligaments that hold your ankle bones and joints together.
An ankle sprain usually takes between 2 weeks to 2 months to heal. The ankle will feel better after a few weeks and be fully strengthened in a few months. A severely sprained ligament, however, can take 9 months to 1 year to heal.
Recurrent ankle sprains are common; once an ankle ligament is sprained, it is often reinjured. As a matter of fact, over 70% of people who have sprained an ankle once are likely to do so again. Injury is likely to recur if muscle strength and balance are not fully restored or improved beyond previous injury levels.
Symptoms of An Ankle Sprain:
With most sprains, you feel pain right away at the site of the tear. Often the ankle starts to swell immediately and may bruise. The ankle area is usually tender to touch, and it hurts to move it. In more severe sprains, you may hear and/or feel something tear, along with a pop or snap. You will probably have extreme pain at first and will not be able to walk or even put weight on your foot. Usually, the more pain and swelling you have, the more severe your ankle sprain is, and the longer it will take to heal.
Ways Physical Therapy Can Help With Ankle Sprain:
Your physical therapist will test and screen for other more serious conditions that could be causing the pain and swelling. Immediately after your diagnosis, physiotherapists will provide useful self-treatment advice and guidelines like:
- Requesting that you rest the affected area by avoiding any activity that can cause further pain.
- Application of ice packs to the injured area for 15 to 20 minutes every 2 hours.
- Consult a physician when there is a need for further services such as medication or diagnostic tests.
- Walk on the affected foot as soon, and as much as you are able, without making the pain or swelling worse.
- Use crutches or other walking aids to help alleviate pain, ankle sprain and support balance.
- Wrap your ankle or use an ankle brace for support and to prevent swelling.
Physiotherapy for Ankle Sprain in Dubai
Reduce Pain and Swelling:
Physiotherapists will enlighten you on reasons to avoid daily and sporting activities to fasten your healing process, different types of technology and treatments like ultrasound, electrical stimulation, taping, heat, and ice will be used to control and minimize swelling and pain. Certain exercises and massages are also included.
Improve Motion:
They will choose specific activities and treatments to help restore normal movement in the ankle. These might begin with “passive” motions that the physical therapist performs for you to gently move your ankle and foot, and progress to “active” exercises and stretches that you do yourself.
Improve Flexibility:
Physical therapists are in the best position to ascertain if any ankle, foot, or lower leg muscles are tight. They help you stretch them and teach you how to also stretch them.
Improves Endurance and Strength:
After an injury, it is necessary to recover muscular endurance in the leg, especially the ankle. Physical therapists will guide you on exercises to improve endurance, to enable you to return to daily activities.
Ankle sprains may be related to weak, injured, or uncoordinated leg muscles. Certain exercises will aid healing at each stage of recovery; your physical therapist will choose and teach you the correct exercises and equipment to use, to steadily and safely restore your strength.
Improve Balance:
After an injury, regaining your sense of balance is necessary. Your physical therapist will educate you on exercises to improve your balance ability.
Learn a Home Program:
Physical therapists will give you lessons on specific strengthening and stretching exercises to perform at home. These exercises are effective, and if you do them as prescribed by your physical therapist, you can speed your recovery.
Hastens Recovery and Returning to Activities:
Your Physical therapist will together with you to discuss activity goals and use them to set your sport, work, and home-life recovery goals. Your treatment program will help you reach your goals in the safest, fastest, and most effective way possible.
They are trained and experienced in choosing the best treatments and exercises to help you heal safely and return to your normal lifestyle. Physiotherapists will coach you on exercises, work retraining activities, and specific techniques to help you achieve your goals. Depending on the severity of the injury, your physiotherapist could recommend some more exercises to strengthen the ankle or to help you regain balance.
For all ankle or other related injuries, kindly visit our website www.bluetreeclinics.com to learn more about how we can help you.
Blue Tree Clinic Dubai is your one-stop CHIROPRACTIC & PHYSIOTHERAPY CLINIC in Dubai. Our certified professional specialists are best in what they do.
Call us now on +971 4 348 8262
info@bluetreeclinics.com
Also read: Tips and guidelines on Your First Physiotherapy Clinic Appointment.