Rehabilitation of Ankle and Foot Injuries
Your ankle and foot are the most suffered part of your body as these are the ones outing up with your entire body weight. Whether you are sitting or running or jogging or walking, it’s your feet and ankle that bear the maximum pressure. Thus, ankle and foot are pretty common and the frequency is more especially in case of the athletes. The injuries are varied demanding respective rehab exercise programs. The post here is a brief overview on types of rehab exercises advised for different ankle and foot injuries.
Ankle lateral sprain
Ankle lateral sprains are mostly common among the athletes. The situation is caused due to plantar flexion and excessive inversion of reafoot on tibia. Injured ligament is located at lateral aspect of your ankle & include anterior talofibular, posterior talofibular & calcenofibular.
Early rehab for ankle lateral sprain starts with towel stretches & wobbles board motion range activities. Stationery biking helps in dorsiflexion & plantar-flexion motion within a controlled ambience – also provides cardiovascular workout regimen for athletes. Joint mobilizations are induced as well & hydrotherapy is also common. The next rehab routine for ankle lateral sprain comprises of balance activities & neuromuscular control program.
Syndesmodic & medial ankle sprain
Syndesmodic sprain is caused by disruption of interosseous ligament. On the other hand, media sprain results from excessive eversion & dorsiflexion that injure deltoid ligament. Patients suffering from medial sprain are found with inflamed & discolored ankle.
Initial rehab treatment for syndesmodic and media sprain conditions includes immobilization of patients & movement with crutch aid. Length of immobilization would vary depending on severity of sprain- the focus would be on swelling & pain management. After some days, if the patient feels strong enough to bear weight, he/she might be given crutches for minimal movement. The rehab programs for both the sprains cover management of pain, swelling, motion range, strength, balance & neuromuscular control.
Plantar Fasciitis
The condition is caused by straining of fascia near the origin. During the normal standing, your fascia is subjected to minimal stress but when you shift weight to balls of feet, fascia gets under severe stress & strain. Plantar Faciitis condition mostly results from chronic running in poor footwear or with improper technique. Lordosis is another major reason behind fascia strain.
The initial rehab steps for fascia strain begins with effective pain control measures, These include taking to adequate rest, no excessive weight bearing activities as well as wearing supportive and comfortable shoes. A heel cup addition to the patient’s usual shoe is also advised at times. The rehab clinician would advise for slant-board stretches, towel stretches & joint mobilization techniques. After that, your clinician advises you for some strengthening exercises like little toe-big toe raises, towel crutches, short-foot exercises etc.
Achilles tendonitis
It can be defined as a pianfuul inflammatory condition which involves Achilles tendon or/and tendon sheath. It’s most usual overuse injuries common in the distance runners. The primary rehab treatment for the condition proceeds with assuring less stress on the affected area- by placing an additional heel cup to the shoe.
Activity modification, resting & cross-friction massage are advised too. Besides, stretching & strengthening of gastrocnemious-soleus complex are incorporated.