Author Mandy Button
An ankle sprain can be very painful, and the injury is often accompanied by fear and anxiety related to your return to sport and physical activities. There are many outdated concepts and beliefs about the management and treatment of ankle sprains. Outcomes based research has challenged previous management of ankle sprains. Here are a few of the updates:
Misconception 1: An ankle sprain will put you out of action for 6 weeks
Fact: With a mild ankle sprain you can return to sport in 10 days. How do you identify a mild ankle sprain? Post injury you should be able to walk normally, with the possibility of a slight limp. You won’t be able to run and will have minor swelling.
Fact: With a moderate ankle sprain you can return to sport within 3 weeks How do you identify a moderate ankle sprain? Post injury you will be limping. You will have a moderate amount of swelling and bruising around the ankle.
Fact: Only with a severe ankle sprain will it take 6 weeks for a return to sport How to identify a severe ankle sprain? You won’t be able to put weight on the foot and you will present with severe pain, swelling and bruising around the sprained ankle.
Misconception 2: Long-term wearing of an ankle brace will weaken the function of your foot.
Fact: Patients are strongly encouraged to wear ankle braces after a moderate ankle sprain to prevent re-injury. It is highly recommended that sportsmen wear ankle braces when returning to sport. Sportsmen are encouraged to wear ankle braces for 6 months to 1 year post injury during sporting activity.
Misconception 3: If you sprain your ankle once it does not mean you are likely to sprain your ankle again.
Fact: One ankle sprain doubles your chances of incurring another ankle sprain. To prevent re-injury to your ankle, physio treatment and rehabilitation exercises are essential. This will strengthen your ankle and significantly reduce your chance of re-injury.
The physiotherapists at Bell Place Physiotherapy can guide you in the accurate diagnosis of your ankle sprain and suitable rehabilitation to ensure a safe and timely return to sport. For more information or to make a booking, contact Bell Place Physiotherapy @ 5530 3411