Sports Therapy After an Ankle Sprain: What to Expect

Ankle sprains are a common sports injury, and one of the most likely to impact your career and mobility. Your sprain needs to be handled correctly to ensure that you can keep competing in the future. 

Sports therapy supports you while you heal. Professional care and advice helps you approach your return to your former activity levels in the best possible way, so you don’t overtax yourself. Rather, you rebuild your strength and range of movement gradually and securely over time.

Turn to our orthopedic experts at Town Center Foot & Ankle in Kingwood, Texas, for your post-sprain sports therapy needs. Expert podiatrist Dr. Stephen G. Eichelsdorfer, aka “Dr. Ike,” supports new and existing patients with sports injuries. 

Here’s what you can expect as you complete your recovery.

The right sports medicine care after an ankle sprain

When you sprain an ankle, the ligaments that hold the joint together can stretch, loosen, or even tear. You experience pain, swelling, and an inability to bear weight on the affected limb. 

Sprained ankles are more prone to reinjury, especially if you don’t recover fully and correctly the first time. 

That’s why it’s essential to seek out the right sports therapy support as soon as possible after your injury. The more times you sprain your ankle, the higher your risk of ongoing instability that could end your athletic career.

Dr. Ike diagnoses your ankle sprain and assesses its degree of severity. Depending on the details of your injury, you may need rest, cryotherapy, splinting, bracing, or surgery. 

Follow your treatment plan carefully, so you heal quickly, yet safely. Pushing yourself after an injury is only likely to backfire and leave you dealing with more severe problems.

Returning to athletics after an ankle sprain

As you recover, Dr. Ike discusses your plan for returning to your sport. The amount of time you need to heal depends on the severity of your injury. Your sports therapy treatment may involve 2-3 sessions per week for several months.

We approach your recovery in a series of escalating stages, allowing you to stay in control of your physical condition and healing progress. Stay in touch with your body, as well as your sports therapy care team, and back off of activity if you notice increased pain or swelling.

Physical therapy allows you to safely, gradually rebuild your ankle’s strength, stability, and flexibility. Treatment options like electrical stimulation and therapeutic massage hasten your healing.

Before you’re fully ready to return to your sport, you may be able to use lower-impact forms of physical activity like swimming, yoga, or bicycling to recondition yourself and stay in shape. Weight training is another way to build muscle support for joints like your ankles.

Once your pain symptoms have resolved and you’re able to bear weight on the injured ankle without problems, you’ll be ready to return to your sport. 

You may benefit from added orthotic ankle support in the early stages of resuming athletic activity. Extra attention to warmups and cooldowns is required after an ankle sprain, even once you’ve fully healed.

To learn more about the sports therapy support available to you through Town Center Foot & Ankle, contact us online or over the phone to request your appointment with Dr. Ike.