< Evidence-Based Practice >

Acute Phase

• • Acute ankle sprains are common musculoskeletal injuries that require prompt and appropriate management. The initial assessment should follow the Ottawa Ankle Rules to determine if radiography is necessary.

Intervention

• • Immediate treatment should focus on the POLICE protocol:
    • • Protection
      • Optimal Loading
      • Ice
      • Compression
      • Elevation
  • Functional rehabilitation is preferred over immobilization, and early mobilization techniques, such as passive joint mobilization, may improve recovery.

Exercise Progression and Prevention

• • Exercise-based rehabilitation is effective in reducing reinjury risk and improving functional outcomes following ankle sprains.
  • Rehabilitation programs should progress from basic to advanced exercises, incorporating range of motion, strength training, and proprioception exercises. Intensity can be increased by transitioning from bilateral to unilateral exercises on unstable surfaces with resistance.
  • Long-term management should include ankle supports or braces to prevent recurrent sprains.

< Exercises & Trainings >

Acute Phase

Early Mobilization:

• • Passive Mobilization
  • Active Mobilization
    • • Sit to Stand
      • Walking
      • Single Leg Stance
  • Weighted Kettlebell Squat
  • Banded Mobilization with Weight-Bearing Dorsiflexion
  • Plantar Flexion Mobilization (Start with sitting in the kneeling position)

Rehabilitation & Prevention

Coordination & Proprioception Training

• • Band Resistance Exercises: 4-Way
  • Single Leg Balance
  • Double- and Single-Leg Hops
  • Various Jump Trainings in low height
  • Various Jump Trainings on tilted surface
  • Reactive Drills
  • Single-Leg Stance + Cone Touch

General LE Strengthening: Trunk, Hip, Knee

• • Squat
  • Deadlift
  • Lunges
  • Etc…

The use of external ankle support for up to 1 year