GET YOUR Ankle REHAB DONE RIGHT THE FIRST TIME AROUND

Studies show that exercise-based rehabilitation can reduce re-injury rates by as much as 35% compared to standard care alone. The absence of such rehabilitation has been associated with poor neuromuscular recovery, limited proprioception, and an increased likelihood of subsequent injuries, especially within the first year after returning to sports.

Evidence suggests that ankle injury rates are increasing, especially among athletes. The rise is linked to several factors, including an increase in sports participation, changes in training intensity, and higher levels of physical activity overall. Notably, sports like basketball, soccer, and running see frequent ankle injuries due to their high-impact and lateral movement demands.

There is clear evidence that a structured, progressive and outcome-driven Ankle rehab plan improves athlete outcomes during recovery. While there is no such thing as a 'perfect' rehab, the components of a great rehab include: regular and consistent touch points with your allied health support team (physiotherapists, psychologists, orthopaedic surgeons etc), regular, guided and progressive strength training, return-to-running frameworks that build you up to exceeding game demands and effective and accurate exit-testing to ensure your physiological and psychological markers have returned to pre-injury levels.

There are three primary options for an athlete to consider following an Ankle Ligament Rupture (ALR). The first is to approach ALR rehab non-operatively, where the athlete attempts to return to pre-injury levels of strength and stability. This is also called the 'conservative' approach. The second option is surgery, where damaged ligaments may be repaired or reconstructed using sutures or grafts. The third option is the most novel, known as the Bracing protocol. For some athletes, the rupture occurs in such a way where bracing the ankle at specific angles may result in the natural re-attachment of the Ankle Ligament fibres. It's important to consult your managing physiotherapist and physician to discuss what options suit your situation the best.

Some ankle ligament ruptures can heal without surgery, depending on factors such as the severity of the tear, the specific ligament injured, and the athlete's level. Partial tears of the ankle ligaments, including the anterior talofibular ligament (ATFL), can often heal without surgical intervention. Conservative management involves immobilization, physiotherapy, and structured return to performance program. For athletes who want to return to high-contact or high-pivot sports, options for surgery and rehab should be considered alongside your physiotherapist and surgeon.

If you experience any of the below, we would always recommend a review by a qualified health professional (like a physiotherapist), for review:

• A loud popping sound during running, change of direction, or a contact episode.

• Pain that prevents you from continuing normal activity.

• Swelling around the ankle joint.

• Loss of range of motion.

• A feeling of instability around the ankle joint.

• Inability to weight bear on the affected foot.
  
  If any of these symptoms are present, we'd always recommend getting it reviewed by a professional so you can start your Ankle rehab right away. Rather be safe, than sorry.

While everyone's timelines will be different following Ankle injury and surgery, the typical timeline recommends 6-9 months to return to sport, although this can be shorter or longer — it depends on individual circumstances and dedication to a proper Ankle rehab program.