New Sprained Ankle Treatments Results in Quicker Recovery Time
New Sprained Ankle Treatments Results in Quicker Recovery Time
It used to be that a sprained ankle meant you were sidelined for at least four to six weeks, but treatment has come a long way. As a physician with years of experience in the treatment of sprained ankles, I can confidently say that it is not uncommon for an athlete visiting our office for care to return to competition after as little as 7-10 days of healing time.
So how do you treat a sprained ankle? First and foremost it takes commitment. Patients who desire a quick return to play after injury are going to have to work for it. Once I know we've got that, the rest is a series of calculated steps designed to assess, treat and prevent further injury.
Our office will confirm the injury is, in fact, a sprain and if treatment is warranted the patient will undergo a regimen focused on both passive and active motion with support. Ultrasound along with muscle stimulation is used with ice and tape to support correct motion and inhibit unwanted motion. Walking on the injury at this time is actually important, as motion is part of the healing process. The rehabilitation takes 7-10 days of everyday care.
Following the sprained ankle healing, treatment shifts to the prehabilitation phase where care is emphasized to prevent future injury. Body balancing techniques are initialized during this phase using joint proprioception (or balance board techniques) to "get to know" the joint again as well as strengthen the surrounding area.
It's not a question of spraining an ankle or not - most competitive athletes will at one time or another during their playing days. It's how that injury is treated that will differentiate who gets back in the game and who watches for weeks or months on the sidelines.