An ankle fracture is a condition that results from the displacement of the fibula or ankle bone. Any factors, including strain, hyperextension, torsion, or a blow to the foot, can cause this. Symptoms typically include pain, swelling, and instability around the ankle joint.
Treatments for such a fracture vary depending on severity but may include rest, ice packs, and wearing a brace. Prevention involves avoiding any strain on the ankle and staying inactive if you experience pain or inflammation while walking.
Physical therapy may be beneficial to fully regain functional mobility and resume your prior level of activity following a fractured bone of the ankle.
How Is This Therapy Beneficial For Individuals With Fractured Ankles?
This therapy is highly beneficial for those suffering from the pain of broken ankles as it can aid in the restoration of range of motion, strength, and balance. The therapists will develop a personalized treatment plan that may include several exercises, techniques, and modalities to help manage pain or inflammation.
Through this therapy, individuals with fractured or broken ankles may regain functional mobility and return to their previous activity level, which helps them to regain their quality of life. Specific benefits of PT for individuals with fractured ankles include
Enhanced flexibility.
Improved strength of the muscles around the ankle.
Faster recovery time.
Reduced risk of re-injury.
People with fractured ankles can speed up their healing and return to daily activities by following a therapist's instructions and exercising consistently.
Therapy Exercise Used In The Recovery Of Ankle Fractures?
Expert therapists typically advise stretching and exercises as part of a broken ankle recovery plan during therapy sessions. These include various motions to restore ankle strength, range of motion, flexibility, and stability. Let's Explore them:
1. Range Of Motion
This exercise is part of physical therapy, crucial to recovering from ankle fractures. This method aids in reducing stiffness, increasing flexibility, and regaining joint mobility. Some typical range of motion exercises that the therapist might prescribe is
Ankle dorsiflexion and plantarflexion.
It would help if you had to sit with the leg extended in front of you and loop a resistance band around the ball of your foot. Hold the ends of the band and gently pull your foot towards you.
Ankle Circles
Sit in a chair with legs extended. Slowly rotate the ankle in a circular motion, initially in one direction and then in the opposite direction.
Ankle Inversion and Eversion
Sit with your leg extended, or sit on a chair with your feet hanging off the edge. Slowly turn the ankle outward and inward.
Remember that you should only carry out these exercises under a physical therapist's supervision and in a pain-free range of motion. Based on your individual development and restrictions, they will give you detailed directions on the right amount of repetitions and sets.
2. Flexibility Exercises
You can do a few exercises to increase the muscular flexibility around your ankle. Some of the following exercises help with ankle flexibility.
Towel calf stretching: helps increase the flexibility of the lower leg's back muscles. Stretch your calf by wrapping a towel around your toes and pulling slowly and gently.
Anterior tibialis stretch: Kneel while pointing your toes and ankle. Stretch the front of your lower leg by lightly pressing on your foot.
Standing runner's stretches: This can also be done to improve the flexibility of your calf.
3. Strengthening Exercises
The muscles around your ankle may significantly weaken after immobilization in a cast or brace. It is typical following an ankle fracture, and your physical trainer will recommend activities to strengthen your ankles. Resistance bands are used to perform ankle-strengthening exercises.
During this exercise, put the band around your toes and ask a helper to hold it while you rotate your ankle into dorsiflexion, plantarflexion, inversion, and eversion. 15 to 20 repetitions of each exercise are recommended.
4. Balance and Proprioception Exercise
Your balance could feel a little off after an ankle fracture. To enhance your balance, your PT can advise single-leg standing exercises. A specific tool like the BAPS board is used to improve proprioception after an ankle bone fracture.
Once you have mastered the basic single-leg standing exercises, you may profit from more difficult balance exercises that test your balance and proprioception, such as utilizing a wobble board or a BOSU.
5. Gait Training Exercise
To help you walk more naturally, your physical therapist may have you undertake different gait training exercises, like stepping over and around obstacles.
As your gait changes and improves, they can also assist you in selecting the best assistance device, such as crutches or a cane.
Many people wonder whether it's possible to resume running after an ankle fracture. It will depend on the severity of the injury and how well it has healed, so speak with a healthcare professional to ensure it is safe for you to run before you try.
A Word From Verywell
With such a tailored physical exercise program, if you are recovering, they will assist you in getting back to your regular walking and mobility as soon as possible.
Biomagnetism is an alternative medicine typically used to alleviate inflammation by controlling the body's natural pH because it has numerous advantages. You can combine therapy with an alternate approach to speed up healing.
References link
Comments