ANKLE SPRAIN TREATMENT
[Recommed medical attention via your physician or someone trained to treat this injury]
Immobilization Phase: Ice, compression and an aircast type ankle support. Can be casted
or placed into a boot for severe Grade III Sprains
Taping the ankle with horseshoe around the lateral ankle bone and a
basketweave with a heel lock. Ice and compression 15 minutes 3x/day
Range of Motion Phase: Started 36- 48 hours after the injury. Begin to move the ankle joint
in available range of motion pointing forward and backward.
Begin ankle circles at 72 hours after the injury if the injury involves a
Grade II or III. Otherwise Grade I can begin painfree range of motion
within the 24 hours in all directions
Strength Phase: For severe ankle sprains, begin isometrics in all directions. Progress to
band resistance exercises to the ankle area.Weight bearing balance
exercises on even surfaces single leg stance and progress to uneven
surfaces for standing. (This is proprioception training for the injured
ligaments)
For Grade I ankle sprains, begin band resistive strengthening and
do weight bearing calf raises and toe raise exercises. Balance training
single leg on even surfaces with alphabet and progressing to uneven
surfaces.
Pain Control Phase: Contrast baths of hot water (3min); cold water(5 min); to hot water
(3min) for Grade I -II ankle sprains 72 hours post.
Reverse contrast bath starting with cold water -hot water-cold water
for severe ankle sprains 36-48 hours post injury.
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