Sprained ankle rehabilitation exercises

Introduction

“When should I begin exercises for sprained ankles?” is a very common question. The vast majority of people can begin ankle rehabilitation exercises within three days after the ankle injury, only in the circumstance that it's not very serious. However, there's no set plan for every person or every ankle sprain situation. Tune in to your own body, and follow your physician's recommendations. In this article we will be discussing what kind of exercises you should do in case you have sprained your ankles and we will also discuss if over supinated feet can affect the likelihood of spraining the ankles.

How to start with exercises for sprained ankles?

For the initial few days, you'll need to rest and apply an ice pack to your sprained ankles for 10 to 15 minutes at regular intervals. Try not to allow the ice to contact your skin and don't leave it on so long that it burns you. Discuss rehabilitation exercises with your physician and do your own exploration to assist you with choosing which treatment is best for you.  There can be different exercises needed if you have supinated ankles, and it can be a more tricky task to get them back to normal.  Over supination can often make the ankles more prone to twisting and sprains.

Which exercises to do?

Here we are listing three broader types of exercise with two exercises in each of them. These exercises can be beneficial for those with supinated ankles as well as for those with sprained ankles. 

Ankle range of motion exercises 

These activities are basic movements you can do up to 5 times each day that can assist you with keeping up your range of movement and flexibility in your ankle. 

1. Ankle alphabet

Sit on a sofa or agreeable seat. Extend your leg out and make the letters of the alphabet in the air with your big toe. On the off chance that there's no pain, you can do this 2 or more times. This delicate exercise assists you with moving your ankle in every direction.

2. Knee motion 

Sit in a seat with your foot level on the floor. Keeping your foot on the floor, gradually move your knee from one side to another for 2 to 3 minutes. This stretches and loosens up the tendons and ligaments around your ankle. 

Ankle stretching exercises

Your Achilles ligament joins the muscles of your calf to your heel bone, passing behind your ankle. Stretching your Achilles ligament can be done through the following activities. Similar to previous exercises, these exercises can be done by those with sprained and supinated ankles.

1. Standing calf stretch 

Stand facing a wall or countertop and put your hands on it for help. Place your foot with the sprained ankle one step back and your good foot forward. Keeping your back heel level on the floor, gradually twist the knee of your good leg until you feel a moderate stretch in the calf on your sprained side. Rehash this multiple times, holding for 30 seconds. 

2. One-leg balance 

With your hands on a wall, countertop, or seat back, lift up your good leg behind you so your weight lays on the leg with the sprained ankle. Attempt to hold this for 20 to 30 seconds. As you get stronger, take a stab at doing it just with the help of a couple of fingers. At the point when you're even stronger, do this without hanging on to a wall. 

Ankle strengthening activities 

When you have decent range of motion and can easily bear weight on your sprained ankle, it's the right time for this subsequent stage — strength works out. These activities require a resistance band. This is a simple elastic band that you can get from an outdoor supplies store, on the web, or a physical therapist's office.

1. Elastic band push 

This is similar to the towel stretch, however with resistance. Sit on the floor. Prop up your ankle with a folded up towel or swimming noodle to keep your heel off the floor. Place the elastic band around the ball of your foot and hold the two ends. Now, gradually push your ball of foot forward like you're pointing your toe. Then gradually bring it back. Re-do this multiple times. Do not utilize the band if there is any pain, discomfort, or if your ankle feels shaky. 

2. Versatile band pull 

Tie your resistance band around a hefty item like a work desk or table leg. While sitting on the floor, place your toes and upper foot into the band. Now, gradually pull your foot back towards you and return it to a vertical position. Redo this multiple times.

These are a few exercises which can be done for treatment of sprained ankles by oneself. Be careful to listen to your body while doing any exercise. If the motion is painful, be cautious and consult a doctor as any improper step or exercise can increase your pain and worsen the sprain.

Should you go for insoles?

Some people might think that insoles are usually used by those with supinated ankles only, but here's the catch—insoles can be used by you even in case of sprained ankles. There are various types of insoles available in the market or on the internet for avoiding shock to the foot and aiding in recovery of sprained ankles. You can also visit soleinsole.com to find the perfect insoles for your feet.

Conclusion

Ankle sprains are extremely normal. The seriousness can vary enormously. In some cases you won't realize that you sprained it until a couple of hours after the fact when you see swelling and feel increased pain. Your physician will decide the best kind of support to utilize and recommend an activity program to suit your particular necessities. You must remember that rehabilitation time relies upon the seriousness of the injury, your age, and your overall well being.

This content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.