Category: Ankle Pain

What is causing pain in the side of my ankle?
Pain in the side of your ankle can be caused by many different issues, and it can be difficult to determine which problem is at the root of your pain. However, working with a physical therapist can make the discovery process easier.

You’re more likely to develop ankle pain than you might think. The ankle joints carry all your weight anytime you walk or run, and one medical study found that almost 12% of the people surveyed reported having ankle pain. Physical therapists are trained to treat musculoskeletal disorders that can cause ankle pain, and this gives them a leg up when it comes to identifying the cause of your pain. Also, these specialists can help you get effective treatment for the pain in the side of your ankle.

Six possible causes of pain in the side of the ankle

Each side of the ankle contains structures that can be injured or develop an issue that causes pain. Your physical therapist can physically examine your ankle to gain insight into the cause of your pain, and they may also ask you specific questions about your symptoms, daily routine and medical history.

As a result, your therapist may identify painful ankle issues like:
1. Nerve injuries — This type of issue occurs when nerves that run through your ankle are pinched or damaged.
1. Tendinitis — This condition occurs when an ankle tendon becomes inflamed and painful.
1. Osteoarthritis — This problem develops as a result of natural wear and tear on ankle structures over your lifetime.
1. Sprains — Ankle ligaments are among the most commonly sprained ligaments in the body.
1. Synovium inflammation — This issue occurs when the lining of the ankle joint becomes inflamed.
1. Scar tissue — Previous ankle injuries can leave behind scar tissue that restricts ankle soft tissue movement, which can cause pain.
Treatment options physical therapists can offer for ankle pain

Getting the pain in the side of your ankle treated is another area where physical therapists can help. They offer many treatment techniques that can help address ankle pain, including:
- Joint mobilization designed to improve the flexibility and range of motion in the affected joint.
- Astym^® therapy that uses special tools to realign soft tissue fibers and reduce movement restriction.
- Aquatic therapy intended to strengthen lower leg muscles and speed up healing of ankle soft tissue.
- Running training that focuses on helping you run more safely once your ankle heals.
Find treatment for the pain in the side of your ankle at Excel Sports & Physical Therapy

Keen to find treatment for the pain in the side of your ankle? Excel PT has a team of physical therapists who are primed to help you address your pain. Our team offers free screenings intended to reveal the cause of your ankle pain. In addition, we can build you a unique therapy plan designed to reduce your pain and prevent future ankle issues.

Is your ankle too painful to drive to one of our therapy clinics? No problem! Our virtual therapy and at-home care services allow you to meet with a therapist right in your own home.

Contact our team today for more information about our ankle therapy services or to schedule an initial appointment.
February 3, 2021
Why do I have ankle pain after running?
The most likely answer is that you’re running too far, and this is causing excessive stress and pain in your ankle. However, not every case of ankle pain after running is caused by pushing yourself too far.

This isn’t surprising, since ankle injuries are fairly common in runners; one study reports that ankle injuries make up 16.6% of all running injuries. Physical therapists are musculoskeletal system experts, and they can help you figure out why you have ankle pain after running. These specialists can also help you find effective treatment for your ankle pain.

Three conditions that can cause ankle pain after running

If you aren’t simply sore after your run, there could be three reasons you have ankle pain after runnings. These reasons are:
1. An ankle sprain — This injury occurs when an ankle ligament is overstretched or torn. When you’re running, an ankle sprain can occur from landing on your foot wrong, or it can be the result of tripping over something. Ankle sprains are very common in the U.S. One study found that more than 3.1 million Americans sprained their ankle between 2002 and 2006.
1. An ankle strain — Strains are different from sprains because they affect tendons. One tendon in your ankle that could be strained is the posterior tibial tendon (PTT). This can lead to inflammation and pain in the ankle and along the arch of your foot. It’s estimated that PTT injuries occur in up to 10% of the general population.
1. Achilles tendinitis — The Achilles tendon connects the calf muscles to the heel bone. Repetitive movements like running can inflame this tendon and lead to ankle pain. Typically, the pain that Achilles tendinitis causes is felt at the back of the ankle. Medical researchers report that 9% of recreational athletes develop this form of tendinitis.
Excel Sports & Physical Therapy can treat your ankle pain

Fed up with feeling ankle pain after every running session? Excel Sports & Physical Therapy has a team of specialists that can help diagnose and treat your pain. Our team offers free screenings that can pinpoint the issue that’s causing your ankle pain. In addition, our specialists are adept at building personalized therapy plans designed to reduce and prevent your pain.

Not sure you can make it into one of our clinics because of your ankle pain? No problem! Our physical therapists can help you right from your own home thanks to our virtual therapy and at-home care services.

Contact our team today for more information about our treatment options for ankle pain or to schedule your initial appointment.
December 10, 2020
Improving your recovery with physical therapy after ankle surgery
The ankle is one of the most commonly injured joints in the body. After all, there are few people who haven’t had a minor ankle sprain in their lifetime. However, most ankle injuries aren’t serious enough to warrant surgery.

There are some cases where your ankle may need surgery. A severe fracture. Torn ankle ligaments. Severe joint damage from osteoarthritis. These are some of the issues that could require an ankle surgery. In fact, it’s reported that in 2012 there were 5,500 total ankle arthroplasties performed on end-stage ankle osteoarthritis patients.

Recovering from ankle surgery can be a long process, but this process can be aided by having physical therapy after ankle surgery.

Three ways physical therapy after ankle surgery can help your recovery process

Physical therapists are experts in the human musculoskeletal system, and they help people recover from many types of surgery. These specialists will listen to your recovery goals. Then, they’ll build you a recovery plan that’s personalized to your goals and needs.

Such a recovery plan will be designed to help:
1. Reduce pain — Even minimally invasive surgeries can cause some damage to tissue around the operation site. Often, this damage can lead to post-operative pain. Physical therapists can use techniques like Astym^® therapy to reduce your ankle pain. One study shows that this therapy method helped completely resolve the pain of a patient with Achilles tendinopathy in just 10 sessions.
1. Increase function — Ankle function is another factor that can suffer after an ankle surgery. Scar tissue and pain are two issues that can affect your ankle function. Physical therapists can use a category of therapy called manual therapy to counter these issues. A study of manual therapy following long-term ankle immobilization reveals that four weeks of this technique helped boost ankle function by nearly 22 points.
1. Improve range of motion (ROM) — How much you’re able to bend your ankle in various directions is its ROM. This flexibility is likely to be reduced by an ankle procedure. Bending the ankle up and down can be particularly hard to do after surgery. Medical researchers report that Astym therapy helped increase this area of ROM by 10 degrees in 11 therapy sessions.
Excel Sports & Physical Therapy offers top-notch physical therapy after ankle surgery

Curious about where you can find effective physical therapy after your ankle surgery? Our team at Excel Sports & Physical Therapy offers care that can help your recovery process. We can perform a comprehensive evaluation of your ankle to determine what issues your surgery has caused. Our physical therapists can then create a personalized therapy plan for you. This plan can help you get all the benefits above and help you avoid future ankle injuries.

Worried that being stuck at home means you can’t get physical therapy? No problem! Our team offers therapy services like virtual therapy and at-home care that are designed to be used from your home.

Contact our team today for more information about the post-surgical therapy services we offer or to schedule an initial appointment.
November 1, 2020
How a physical therapist can help with your ankle sprain treatment
Your ankles are a relatively small part of your body, but they have enormous responsibilities. They support most of your body weight and must remain flexible enough so you can walk, run and jump. When one of the ligaments, muscles, tendons, bones or joints in the ankle gets hurt, you’ll find yourself staying off your feet for a bit of time.

One of the most common ankle injuries is a sprained ankle; it’s estimated that every day, more than 23,000 Americans develop an ankle sprain. Luckily, a physical therapist can help you find highly effective treatment for your ankle sprain.

What is a sprained ankle?

A sprain is an injury to the ligaments in your ankle. When you put weight on your foot in an awkward position, the ligaments can stretch or tear. There are many scenarios in which this can happen, such as stepping in a hole while running.

Not every sprained ankle is the same. There are varying degrees of ankle sprains that require different treatment and recovery periods:
- Grade one ankle sprains — A grade one sprain is a mild stretch of the ligament that requires about one or three weeks for recovery.
- Grade two ankle sprains — A grade two sprain is a more severe stretch to the ligament that may need three to six weeks for recovery.
- Grade three ankle sprains — A grade three sprain is a major stretch or tear to the ligament that could take six to 12 weeks for recovery.
Treating ankle sprains

Treatments for ankle sprains vary depending on the severity of the injury. Many grade one sprains require little more than some rest and pain medication. More severe sprains will require professional assistance. Some extreme cases may require surgery for treatment, but most people can get by with physical therapy.

Physical therapists are skilled in methods that can help reduce ankle pain and promote a better recovery. Some of the methods your physical therapist could use to treat an ankle sprain include:
- Manual therapy — This is a category of physical therapy that includes techniques like joint mobilization. It involves your physical therapist using their hands to mobilize soft tissue and manipulate joints. A study on manual therapy for ankle sprains reports that it helped reduce ankle pain by about 70% in just four weeks. Additionally, this technique led to an 87% improvement in patients’ ability to do normal daily tasks after four weeks.
- Astym^® therapy — This form of physical therapy is performed using specially designed metal tools. Your physical therapist uses these tools to apply therapeutic pressure to the injured area. Researchers from one study on Astym therapy reveal that a patient recovering from a severe ankle sprain was able to run without pain for 40 minutes after five sessions.
Excel Sports & Physical Therapy offers top-notch sprained ankle treatment

Whether you have a grade one sprain or a grade three sprain, our team is ready to help you get ankle pain treatment that can get you back on your feet again. We offer free screenings that can help reveal how serious your ankle sprain is. In addition, our physical therapists are highly experienced at building individualized therapy plans designed to reduce ankle pain and improve ankle function.

Stuck at home because of your ankle sprain? No problem! Our therapy team offers physical therapy techniques that you can use without even leaving home, including virtual therapy and at-home care appointments.

Contact our team today for more information about how we can help with your ankle sprain or to schedule a free screening.
September 6, 2020
Three conditions that can cause you to wake up with stiff ankles in the morning
Joint stiffness in the morning is a common occurrence and can affect us all over the body, including the ankles. While it is associated with the aging process, stiff ankles in the morning can also be related to a number of injuries as well. By learning more about potential causes, you can take a more active role with your treatment team as you seek relief.

That’s why we’re sharing this helpful guide to three conditions that are likely to be associated with stiff ankles in the morning. We’re here to help, and if you have any questions or concerns as you read this, don’t hesitate to get in touch with our caring team.

These injuries and conditions may be associated with stiff ankles in the morning

Everyone is different, but here are some of the more common diagnoses for patients who report stiff ankles in the morning:
1. Osteoarthritis — This age-related form of arthritis develops due to breakdown of the protective cartilage that helps cushion our joints and allow for smooth movement. Arthritis can develop in the ankles due to the large amount of weight and pressure the ankles absorb on a daily basis. Without cartilage to protect them, the ankle joints can easily become inflamed and stiff, particularly in the morning.
2. Achilles tendinitis — This could be a more likely cause if the stiffness is more pronounced in one ankle than the other. While an inflamed Achilles tendon is more closely associated with ankle pain, it can also be a source of stiffness after a night of sleep.
3. Sprained ankle — Like tendinitis, an ankle sprain will also likely be accompanied by pain, but stiffness is another symptom of inflamed ankle ligaments and it may be more pronounced in the morning.
If you are diagnosed with any of these conditions as the source of your ankle stiffness in the morning, physical therapy can be a highly effective form of treatment.

SOL Physical Therapy can help you improve your ankle mobility

Stiff ankles in the morning don’t have to set the course of your day. When you come to SOL Physical Therapy, our talented and experienced team can help you identify the causes and contributors of your ankle problems and develop a comprehensive treatment plan to help you decrease pain and increase mobility. We’ll also help you learn techniques and strategies to manage joint stiffness at any time of day, including the morning.

To schedule your initial appointment with one of our representatives, contact us today.
April 8, 2020
Recovering from a grade 3 ankle sprain in Shawnee, KS
It’s not uncommon for people in Shawnee, Kansas, to sprain an ankle while playing sports or doing other physical activities like walking downstairs. Ankle sprains are a common type of injury in the U.S. that affects thousands of Americans every day.

Ankle sprain recovery times tend to depend on the extent of your injury. Grade one sprains may recover after a week but grade three sprain can take much more time.

Why are grade three ankle sprain recovery times so long?

Grade three sprains are more serious than grade one and two sprains. You usually need a lot of time to recover from grade three sprains due to factors like:
- Severe ligament damage — All ankle sprains involve some overstretching or tearing of an ankle ligament, but grade three sprains have the most severe ligament damage. Often, an ankle ligament is torn almost all the way through. In the worst-case scenario, the affected ligament has been torn completely.
- Brace or cast required — Grade three ankle sprains typically require wearing a cast or brace to support the ankle as it heals. Most people will have to wear such stability devices for several weeks as part of the recovery process.
- Surgery may be needed — Surgery might be required to repair the damage to your ankle ligament. It’s especially likely if your ligament has torn completely. Doctors might also recommend surgery after an ankle sprain if part of the bone the injured ligament is attached to has cracked and peeled back. This is called an avulsion fracture.
How long could it take for my grade three ankle sprain to recover?

If you have a grade three ankle sprain, you’re in for a long recovery period. In the best-case scenario, this level of ankle sprain will take at least three months to heal, but your recovery time is likely to be even longer if you need ankle surgery. Patients who require surgery typically face at least six months of recovery before they can return to normal activities like playing sports.

Who has an increased risk of spraining their ankle?

Some people have a greater risk of spraining their ankle due to risk factors, including:
- Walking or running on uneven surfaces
- Having previously injured your ankle
- Poor ankle strength and flexibility
- Wearing shoes that don’t fit properly
- Having a balance and gait disorder
- Frequently participating in physically demanding activities like sports
Visit SSOR in Shawnee to get help treating a sprained ankle

Are you dealing with a mild, moderate or severe ankle sprain? Our team at SSOR in Shawnee can help you find physical therapy that can reduce your recovery time. We offer complimentary screenings that can help reveal the severity of your sprain. Our team can then build you an individualized treatment plan.

Need to have surgery to repair ligaments damaged by your sprain? We can help you recover from that too with a post-surgical rehab plan that’s personalized to your needs.

Contact us today for more information about how we can help your ankle sprain or to schedule an initial appointment.
January 9, 2020
Three factors that influence sprained ankle recovery time
One Medscape article shows just how common ankle sprains are. This article reports that more than 23,000 Americans require medical care for a sprained ankle every day. If you’re among those 23,000 people today, you’re probably wondering how long it might take for your ankle to recover. Most mild ankle sprains can take up to four weeks to recover completely. However, moderate or severe sprains can take between two and six months to heal. Many factors can cause these sprained ankle recovery times to vary from person to person. Here are three factors that could affect your recovery time:
1. How severe your sprain is
As mentioned above, how severe your ankle sprain is can affect the time it takes to recover. But why is that? Each level of ankle sprain causes progressively worse damage to the ligaments of the ankle. People with a mild sprain have often simply overstretched the ligament, but moderate sprains often feature partial tearing of a ligament. The most severe ankle sprains are those that cause almost complete or total tearing of the ankle ligament. Thus, the recovery time for an individual sprain typically increases based on the severity of the ligament damage.
1. The amount of time you rest your ankle
The amount of rest you give your ankle is another factor that can affect the recovery time for an ankle sprain. The body does most of its healing while you’re resting, so the more you rest, the more time your body has to heal the injured ankle ligament. The other side of the coin is that not resting your ankle could lead to less healing. People who try to do normal activities with an ankle sprain can increase the damage to the injured ligament, which can cause healing to take even longer.
1. Getting help from a physical therapist
A third factor that can affect your ankle sprain recovery time is whether you get help from a physical therapist. These specialists can help you find the right balance of resting and therapeutic exercises. They can also use techniques like instrument assisted soft tissue mobilization (IASTM) to increase the blood flow to your injured ankle. Improving blood flow to the injury allows it to get more oxygen and nutrients and can help speed up the healing process.

Visiting Peak Performance can help reduce your sprained ankle recovery time

We’ve helped many patients decrease the recovery time of their sprained ankles. To start with, our team can do a free screening of the ankle to determine how severe the sprain is. Then we combine this information with the many beneficial therapy methods at our disposal, and this allows us to create a personalized recovery plan for you that may include:
- Electrical stimulation
- Therapeutic exercises
- Anodyne^®therapy
- IASTM
- Kinesiology taping
Do you want to start getting our help with your ankle sprain recovery? Contact us today for more information or to schedule an initial appointment.
January 3, 2020
Shortening your recovery time for a sprained ankle — help for patients in Gretna, LA
Whether you twisted it while jogging or rolled it on the basketball court, a sprained ankle can take you out of action quickly — and keep you there. Often, people who are recovering from a sprained ankle are among the very active, or worse, they work physical jobs that require standing and moving. In these and other cases, sprained ankle recovery time can become a serious concern.

The recovery time for a sprained ankle can vary on a case-by-case basis, especially depending on the severity of the injury or whether it’s a recurrence of a previous one. It’s absolutely critical to follow the advice of a medical professional on returning to activity, as trying to rush the recovery process can result in worsening the injury.

If you’re a Gretna, Louisiana, patient dealing with a sprained ankle, physical therapy can offer a host of benefits, including the potential to safely shorten your recovery time. Rehab Access has an experienced team at our clinic right here in town where we’ve helped many patients get over their sprained ankle and get back into action.

What to expect when you work with a physical therapist

Since every person has unique body mechanics, posture and structure, a one-size-fits-all approach to physical therapy is never ideal. That is why we’re committed to highly personalized care that starts with a full physical assessment. Our therapists will review your medical history, perform balance, gait and posture tests, administer a hands-on examination of your sprained ankle and discuss your specific symptoms and treatment goals.

While the primary goal of physical therapy is to improve functioning and decrease the risk of reinjury, an effective program can also potentially shorten your recovery time in the following ways:
- Improve strength and stability to take pressure off the ankle
- Increase blood flow to the area to promote healing
- Mobilize the joint and soft tissue through manual therapy
By consistently following your treatment and any lifestyle recommendations from your therapist, it’s possible to find yourself back to a normal activity level in a surprisingly short period of time. However, it’s always important to stay patient and follow the activity guidelines from your therapist or other treatment professionals.

Sprained ankle treatment you can trust in Gretna, LA

Are you ready to jump-start your recovery for a sprained ankle? Contact our caring and dedicated team today to schedule your initial appointment.
December 6, 2019
What happens if you don’t seek therapy for a sprained ankle
Have you recently sprained your ankle and are questioning why your doctor is recommending physical therapy? Physical therapists are licensed health care professionals who provide natural treatments for injuries like sprained ankles. They are experts in musculoskeletal injuries and have extensive knowledge of how to help your body heal and regain strength after an injury. Physical therapy is a crucial step in the recovery process for sprained ankles. A physical therapist will first assess your injury and create an individualized treatment plan based on your specific needs. This may include exercises to improve range of motion, strength, and balance, as well as manual techniques to reduce pain and swelling.

However, you may be wondering if you can get by without physical therapy. If your sprain is very minor, you might be fine after a little rest and some light exercise, but most people with a sprained ankle will need some form of physical therapy to reach their recovery potential.

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What happens if you don’t seek therapy for ankle sprains
- You will deal with a lot of pain — Physical therapists specialize in treatments that improve the strength and flexibility of the muscles around your ankle to help reduce pain. This works by improving your mobility to resist stiffness and by helping to reduce pressure off the recovering parts of the ankle. Without physical therapy, you might deal with pain in the ankle for a long time.
- You will have long-lasting stiffness — Scar tissue can develop in a sprained ankle, especially if surgery is required to treat it. Scar tissue is tough and thick. It can affect your range of motion if allowed to build up in the ankle. Physical therapy can help prevent the buildup of scar tissue and break down existing formations of scar tissue.
- Your ankle might heal incorrectly — While recovering from a sprain, your ankle may compensate for the injury by transferring responsibilities for movement and support to other muscles, ligaments and tendons surrounding it. This can lead to an imbalance in the ankle that affects your posture and your ability to walk and run.
- You might develop chronic inflammation — Without physical therapy, strain, increased pressure, stiffness and scar tissue can cause irritation that leads to inflammation. This inflammation can lead to further problems down the road, such as arthritis.
Visit Excel Sports & Physical Therapy for sprained ankle treatment

At Excel Sports & Physical Therapy, we prioritize empowering our patients rather than instilling fear to encourage treatment. It’s crucial to recognize that neglecting physical rehabilitation post an ankle sprain can exacerbate the situation. Our dedicated team is committed to safeguarding against such outcomes.

Request an appointment or call us today at Affton, North O’Fallon, St. Louis, Creve Coeur, Ellisville, Saint Peters, O’Fallon, Saint Charles, Warrenton & Wentzville, MO centers.

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December 4, 2019
Three reasons for ankle pain from walking with no swelling
Ankle pain is fairly common, but most people expect to have a sprain or a fracture when their ankle hurts. If you have ankle pain from walking but no swelling, you may be stumped about the cause of your symptoms. Here are three ankle conditions that can lead to pain during movement but not cause swelling.
1. Osteoarthritis
Osteoarthritis can attack many joints in the body, including the ankle. This condition could easily be the reason you feel ankle pain from walking but don’t have any swelling. The cartilage in the body’s joints is gradually worn away as people get older, and this wear and tear is called osteoarthritis. Many people experience joint swelling when they have this condition. However, every person experiences this condition differently, so it’s possible to have osteoarthritis pain without visible swelling. This is especially true in the early stages of this condition.
1. Peripheral neuropathy
Another condition that can cause ankle pain from walking without causing swelling is peripheral neuropathy. The peripheral nerves include all those that aren’t in the brain or spinal cord. These nerves are found in most parts of the body, and they can become pinched or damaged. When they are, the result is called peripheral neuropathy. This condition can lead to sharp or burning pain in the affected area, and it can also cause tingling and numbness. A blow to the ankle or lower leg while playing sports or working could damage nerves near the ankle, and this could be the source of your symptoms.
1. Bruising
A bad bruise on your ankle could also lead to ankle pain from walking but no swelling. Bruises on the ankle are very common in people who play high-impact sports like football, rugby and soccer. Baseball players can also get a bad ankle bruise from contact with another player who’s sliding into a base. This type of injury can also be one that you get at work.

Get help with your ankle pain from walking with no swelling at Peak Performance

Ankle pain from walking can make your life much more difficult, even if there is no swelling. At Peak Performance, our team can help you treat issues that can cause these symptoms. We offer free screenings, and these are designed to help us figure out the root cause of your pain. After pinpointing the pain source, our team will build you a personalized therapy plan, and this plan may be designed using therapy techniques like:
Are you ready to start getting our help with your ankle pain? Contact us today for more information or to schedule an initial appointment.
November 5, 2019
Three tips for treating arthritis ankle pain at night
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), about 23% of Americans have some type of arthritis. This issue can easily affect your ankle, and the pain it causes can seem worse at night. Your ankle arthritis pain can even keep you from falling asleep or staying asleep. Fortunately, there are options you can try that could help reduce your pain. Here are three tips for treating arthritis ankle pain at night:

1. Exercise during the day

Physical activity is important for treating ankle arthritis, and it can even help you deal with arthritis ankle pain at night. For one thing, exercise releases endorphins, and these are the body’s natural painkillers. Doing even moderate exercise like walking during the day can also help tire you out, and this typically makes it easier to fall asleep and stay asleep. However, some people may find that exercising too close to bedtime can increase pain. If this is true for you, make sure to do your exercising well before it’s time for you to hit the sack.

2. Cushion your ankle

Another tip that can help treat your arthritis ankle pain at night is giving your ankle some extra cushioning. This can be an especially important tip for side sleepers. When you sleep on your side, the ankles rest on top of each other. This can cause them to grind together, which can lead to an increased level of pain. To help prevent this, you can place a small pillow between your ankles. This will provide some cushioning between your ankles, and it can also help improve your spinal posture.

3. Create a relaxing pre-bed routine

Everyone relaxes before bed in different ways. For some people, watching television helps them to fall asleep. Other people have a sound machine that soothes them to sleep with ocean melodies. There are also the people who need a glass of hot tea before bed. The important thing for treating arthritis ankle pain at night is to figure out what helps relax you. This is important because mental relaxation can help relax the body as well, and this can help reduce your pain. Once you figure out the technique or techniques that work for you, you can weave them into a helpful nightly routine.

Panther Physical Therapy offers treatment for arthritis ankle pain

Arthritis ankle pain can strike during the day and at night, and Panther Physical Therapy is here to help you treat the pain. Our plans are personalized to your specific needs, and they make use of multiple helpful therapy methods, such as:
Are you ready to start reducing your arthritis pain so it doesn’t keep you up at night? Contact our team today for more information or to schedule an initial appointment.
September 3, 2019
Three physical therapy-based ankle injury treatment benefits
People who are active and who play sports can be at greater risk of an ankle injury. In fact, Massachusetts General Hospital estimates that there are about 1 million ankle injuries every year. If you or someone you know has recently injured an ankle, you might be interested to know that physical therapy can be very helpful for this injury. Here are three benefits that physical therapy-based ankle injury treatment can provide to people who use it.

1. Reduces pain faster

It’s no secret that one of the most troubling symptoms of an ankle injury is pain. This pain is typically the result of the overstretching or tearing of tendons in the ankle, and there are many ways to treat this pain. Many people rely on rest and other at-home remedies to treat this symptom. If you see a doctor for the injury, they may give you a set of exercises to do at home.

However, one study published by the Journal of Orthopaedic and Sports Physical Therapy (JOSPT) provides some interesting information about such methods. It reports that home exercise programs alone only allowed for a 39% reduction in pain in a four-week period. However, patients in the same study who used physical therapy to treat their ankle injury saw a 70% pain reduction in the same four-week time frame.

2. Restores normal function more quickly

Another common issue that ankle injury treatment must address is the loss of function such injuries cause. People with an ankle injury often have difficulty walking; however, physical therapy can also help treat loss of function. The JOSPT study showed that patients who had physical therapy for their injury regained function more rapidly. In fact, patients in the physical therapy group of the study had 14% more ankle function four weeks after their injury than the non-physical therapy group.

3. Allows for a faster return to sports

For people who have injured their ankle playing sports, the faster they can recover, the better they like it. This is also true for anyone with an ankle injury. Since physical therapy can help reduce pain and restore function faster, it also helps people return to playing sports sooner. Additionally, physical therapists can help you learn movements and stretches that can help prevent future ankle injuries. This can be very helpful since about 80% of the people who sprained an ankle sprain the same ankle again.

Get ankle injury treatment from the physical therapists at Armor Physical Therapy

Are you looking for an experienced physical therapy team to help you treat an ankle injury? Armor Physical Therapy in southwest Michigan has just the team you’re looking for. We provide complimentary initial screenings, and we can also build you a personalized treatment plan for your injury. These personalized plans typically contain multiple therapy methods, including:
Contact us today for more information or to schedule an initial appointment if you have an injured ankle.
September 3, 2019