Treatment of Ankle Injuries in Athletics

Initial treatment of any joint injury should include rest, ice compression and elevation.  It is also important when evaluating the injury that the likelihood of a fracture be ruled out.  Growth plate injuries are possible in the adolescent and preadolescent athlete and should always be considered upon evaluation.    Ligamentous injuries will have swelling and pain over the injured ligaments,  and loss of function and strength may be evident if the injury is moderate to severe.  

First Steps in the Treatment Process:

Primary concern to the clinician when dealing with these injuries is to try to regain function as soon as safely possible.  Swelling and pain should be the prime concerns.   Techniques to decrease swelling and pain are ice and elevation, electrical stimulation, as well as range of motion exercises and when appropriate to start some strengthening.  A functional progression of weight bearing to full speed running and cutting should be followed.  It is also important to isolate the muscles that cross the ankle joint.  Strengthening of the evertors and invertors  of the ankle are key in the recovery process.  Balance and proprioception training are also important to the full recovery of the athlete.

Ankle Strengthening  Exercises

Balance and Proprioception

Schenectady Regional Orthopedics

Search Engine Positioning and Preville Technology Services