You’re out jogging and roll your ankle. Now, you’re dealing with persistent pain and swelling in the joint. It’s an ankle sprain, and you’ll need physical therapy to help you fully rehabilitate. While ankle injury recovery can be challenging, the physical therapists at Fit 4 Life are here to help!
Ankle injuries are common and can happen to anyone, from hardcore athletes to someone who loves taking leisurely strolls. They also encompass more than ankle sprains, which affect the ligaments in the ankle joint. Achilles tendonitis, cartilage injuries, and more can all affect the ankle, causing pain and making everyday activities difficult.
Physical therapy is an integral part of ankle injury recovery. It helps reduce pain and swelling, restores range of motion, and strengthens the muscles around the ankle. Perhaps most importantly, it can also help reduce your risk of another ankle injury in the future.
Today, we want to explore some common ankle injuries we see at our clinic and what our experienced physical therapists can do to treat them. Keep reading to learn more!
Common Ankle Injuries–And How PT Helps Their Recovery
Ankle Sprains
You’ve almost certainly heard of ankle sprains, but do you know what they actually are? A sprained ankle occurs when the ligaments that support the ankle stretch too far or tear, usually during activities that involve sudden twists or turns. Symptoms include pain, swelling, and bruising.
Physical therapy is essential for ankle sprain rehabilitation. We’ll help address your pain and swelling, but more importantly, we’ll help you build strength in the muscles surrounding the ankle joint, helping to prevent another ankle sprain in the future.
Achilles Tendinitis
Achilles tendinitis is also common. It’s an overuse injury affecting the Achilles tendon, the band of tissue connecting calf muscles to the heel bone. Unlike a sprained ankle, which generally results from a sudden injury, Achilles tendonitis develops over time when repeated motions stress and inflame the tendon, making it common among runners and athletes. It causes pain and stiffness along the back of the ankle and leg.
Physical therapy helps manage Achilles tendonitis through targeted stretching and strengthening exercises, plus manual therapy techniques to improve mobility and boost blood flow to the affected area. We can also help you identify strategies to avoid a future occurrence.
Fractures
Ankle fractures involve breaks in one or more bones in the ankle joint, usually due to a sudden injury, like a fall. Most ankle fractures require a cast or walking boot to help the bones heal properly, but physical therapy is essential in rehabilitating your ankle afterward.
Once the bone heals, our physical therapists will guide you through personalized exercise programs to improve strength, restore balance and stability, improve mobility, and prevent future issues.
Tendon or Muscles Tears (aka Strains)
Your tendons are tissue that connects the muscles to your bones. While a sudden injury might cause a severe tendon or muscle tear (which could require surgery to repair fully), overuse can also cause microtears in the tissue. Your symptoms will vary based on severity but generally include pain and limited mobility.
For mild tears, physical therapy can help reduce pain and mobility restrictions so you can work on strengthening the muscles around your ankle. If you have to undergo surgery to fix the damage, we’re here to help you rehabilitate afterward.
No Matter the Ankle Injury, We Can Help with Recovery!
Whether you’ve got a severe ankle sprain or a mild tendon strain from overuse, ankle injury recovery with Fit 4 Life will help get you back on your feet. Schedule an appointment with our team today to get started.
Tags: healthytips, physicaltherapist, Physical Therapy Treatment, ankle injury recovery
