Ankle Sprains Overview

PT Rehabilitation Plan

Ankle Sprains Overview

Ankle sprains have three degrees of injury ranging from 1-3. The level of the ankle sprain is determined by the amount that the ligament is torn or stretched. A grade one sprain is categorized as a slight stretching and damage to the fibers of the ligament. A grade 2 sprain is characterized as partial tearing of the ligament and abnormal laxity of the ankle. A grade 3 sprain is characterized by complete tear of the ligament if it can be pushed or pulled in certain movements there is gross instability. The movements of the ankle are abduction, adduction, plantar flexion, dorsiflexion, and inversion, eversion. The ligaments of the ankle hold the ankle bones and joint into position. These ligaments protect the ankle joint from abnormal movements such as twisting, turning, and rolling of the foot.

Lateral ligaments and their biomechanics: The anterior talofibular ligament, the calcaneofibular ligament, and the posterior talofibular ligament. When referring to the anatomic subtalar joint, the lateral complex is composed of the following ligaments: CFL, Lateral talocalcaneal ligament, the cervical ligament, and the interosseous talocalcaneal ligament.

In dorsiflexion the ATFL is loose, the CFL is taut, and the PTFL is maximally stretched. The reversed happens in plantarflexion. The CFL prevents adduction and acts virtually independently in neutral and in dorsiflexed positions. The maximum load to failure of the CFL is roughly 2-3.5 times greater than that for the ATFL. The ATFL can stretch the greatest amount before failure this allows internal rotation of the talus during plantarflexion, in contrast to the CFL and PTFL. The ATFL main role is to restrict internal rotation of the talus ...

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...is the only issue that they have to worry about. When a patient is able to walk for a specific period of time without pain then they can jog for the other 50% of the time. Progressing on through activities that require more strength for pushing off running is the next activity that is tested. Eventually a person can walk backwards and do patterned running such as figure 8’s, S’s and Z’s. Sports oriented rehab for ankles requires a little longer recovery time because their ankle must stand up to the forces that their sport demands. Such activities must take place under a trainer, coach, or physical therapist that is familiar with the sport. Activities whether they be every day or in a sport can be accompanied by ankle braces every often to add strength to the joint until strength is built up completely.

Works Cited

www.aafp.org

http://emedicine.medscape.com