Rehabilitation (after surgery or trauma)

If you’ve twisted your ankle, the ligaments may be damaged, which can cause swelling and pain. It often takes time before you can return to sports without pain. The duration of recovery depends on the severity of the sprain. There are three levels of damage in an ankle sprain:

• No to minimal damage
• A partial tear in the ankle ligaments
• Complete rupture of the ankle ligaments

The more severe the sprain, the longer the rehabilitation may take. For proper recovery from a serious sprain—such as a complete ligament tear—it’s recommended to consult a sports physiotherapist. An ankle injury is inconvenient, and you likely want to recover as quickly as possible. The recovery period is divided into several phases. Pain and swelling can negatively impact the healing process.

Phase 1:
This is when the body begins clearing out damaged tissue. If your ankle is still painful, it’s best to elevate your foot and wrap the ankle. One or two days of rest are necessary during this initial phase.

Phase 2:
This is the repair phase. You can begin to resume daily movements, but it’s important to avoid painful motions.

Phase 3:
This phase focuses on full tissue recovery. More complex exercises can be introduced. It’s best to consult a sports physiotherapist or trainer to determine how and when to return to sports or full weight-bearing activity.

Your ankle will remain sensitive for quite some time after an injury. If you’ve twisted your ankle once, there’s a higher chance of it happening again. Strengthen your ankle or your entire leg by continuing to perform exercises. Using tape or wearing a brace will help you recover safely and allow you to fully load your ankle again. At Podobrace, we offer a variety of ankle braces that can provide support for this type of complaint.