SPEED RECOVERY AFTER MAJOR ANKLE SPRAIN

I recently suffered a severe ankle sprain after falling from a ladder. So far, my doctor and therapist have advised me to keep the ankle wrapped, iced, and elevated. Is there anything else I can do to speed up my recovery?

It sounds like you’re already following the appropriate steps, as guided by your healthcare professionals. Be sure to continue adhering to their advice.

Recent research indicates that patients recovering from significant ankle sprains might benefit from specific exercises involving their uninjured ankle. One such technique, known as disk training, has been traditionally used to help rehabilitate injured ankles. Interestingly, studies now suggest that the advantages of this training may extend to the opposite ankle as well. In one study, participants used a balance disk—a circular platform with a small sphere underneath that allows for ankle movement in multiple directions—to strengthen their injured ankles.

The results showed that disk training helped improve muscle response around the ankle at the initial point of spraining. The anterior tibialis muscle, located in the shin, experienced the most notable improvement. What’s even more surprising is that this muscle also got quicker in the opposite leg, the one that didn’t perform the exercises.

This finding raises the possibility that patients with serious ankle sprains could potentially accelerate their recovery by beginning disk training on their healthy ankle. However, it’s essential to consult your healthcare provider at Wellspring Health and Wellness before trying out any new treatment methods.