What you need to know about ankle sprains

Lateral ankle sprains are very common among the active population and with proper professional guidance, can have serious long-term complications. Complications include fractures, recurrent sprains and ligamentous instability, resulting in surgery. 

As a first point of call, it is important to get assessed by an experienced physiotherapist to get thoroughly assessed and diagnosed. Through history taking and physical examination, the physiotherapist will determine what ligaments have specifically been injured, the severity and whether an x-ray may be needed.

Studies have shown that early mobilisation of a sprained ankle has significant benefits for improvements in pain, function and its long term stability. 

Physiotherapy treatment may include strategies to reduce swelling and inflammation, ankle taping/bracing, manual therapy to break up the scar tissue and an exercise rehabilitation program to help improve range of motion, strength, neuromuscular control and proprioception/balance. A high quality exercise rehabilitation program can get you back to what you were doing previously quickly and prevent injury recurrence. 
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