Osteopathy for Ankle Injury
- MPR Health
- December 12, 2022
Osteopathy for an ankle injury is a great way to treat the pain and inflammation of an injured ankle. They help you get back on your feet.
Foot & ankle injuries are some of the most common types of disorders. Whether it be from sports, an active lifestyle, or trauma, it can affect everyone.
Treatment loosens tight muscles & ligaments to reduce swelling & relieve pressure on the ankle. It also helps restore the normal range of motion to the joint
If you’re experiencing chronic ankle injuries or are looking to prevent future problems, osteopathy for ankle injuries can be a great option. Here’s what you need to know:
Table of Contents
What is Ankle Injury?
An ankle injury is any injury to the ankle joint. Many joints make up the ankle region; they are the ones that connect the shin to the foot.
The ankle joint is a hinge joint that allows the foot to move up and down and from side to side.
Ankle injuries are among the most common injuries, especially among athletes, like runners, basketball players, and soccer players.
They can happen in high-impact activities that put stress on the ankle joint.
Anatomy of an Ankle
The ankle joint is between the distal tibia and fibula, the bones of the lower leg. The two bones meet at an angle of about 80 degrees from each other. This angle changes depending on how much weight you bear at any given time.
The ankle joint houses ligaments connecting the bones & providing stability for your foot as you move.
The muscles enable ankle movement in different directions.
- Flexion/extension (lifting your toes)
- Rotation (turning your foot inward) and (turning your heel outward).
The most important thing to remember about any ankle injury is that it’s not just a simple injury of the structure.
It’s a complex injury involving many tendons, nerves, muscle tissue, and bones.
This makes it difficult for people with these types of injuries to return to sports or daily activities immediately. They need rest so their body can heal before engaging in a strenuous activity again, like running or jumping around on courts.
Classification of Ankle Injury
Acute ankle injury
An acute ankle injury is an injury that occurs suddenly as a result of trauma or overuse. An acute injury is the most common type of ankle injury sustained by people. A typical example is awkwardly landing on your foot while running or jumping.
Sports with high impact (basketball) or unstable surfaces (skateboarding) are frequent causes.
Chronic ankle injury
A chronic ankle injury is an injury that develops over time, as a result of repeated stress or trauma to the same area. A chronic ankle sprain is the most common type of chronic ankle injury. It can occur when someone has repeated sprains in the same location over time, causing ligaments to stretch and weaken.
Types of Ankle Injuries
There are several different types of ankle injuries, including:
- Sprains—When the ligaments around your ankle are stretched beyond their normal range of motion, causing them to partially tear.
- Tears—A more severe version of a sprain in which the ligament has completely torn.
- Dislocation—When one part of a joint becomes separated from another part and is forced out of its proper position.
- Fractures—When there’s been a break in one or more bones in your foot or ankle.
Symptoms of Ankle Injury
Pain
The pain may be dull, throbbing or sharp and stabbing. It can be a constant ache or come and go. The pain may be along the side of the foot, inside of it (medial) or outside (lateral).
Swelling
Swelling occurs around your ankle joint depending on how severe your injury is. When swelling develops rapidly, there may cause one to think it’s more than a sprain.
Bruising
Bruising is a good indicator that you may have suffered an ankle injury. Bruising can occur on the outside of your foot (lateral malleolus), inside (medial malleolus), or around the ankle joint itself.
Weakness or stiffness
Weakness or stiffness in muscles around the area where you hurt yourself is another sign of an ankle injury. This can be especially noticeable if you can’t push off with the same strength as you could before your injury occurred.
Tenderness over bony areas
Tenderness over bony areas such as at joints like where ligaments attach to bones is another sign of an ankle injury. You may notice this tenderness when you move your foot or ankle, or if someone presses on it.
Deformity
This can mean anything from a slight change in alignment.
Limitation of movement
Inability to fully rotate/flex/extend joints due to pain when attempting these movements.
Causes of Ankle Injuries
Ankle injuries can occur for many reasons. The most common causes are:
- Falling, which can cause a sprained ankle
- Twisting the ankle, which can cause a sprain or torn ligaments
- Overuse of your ankle while doing sports or other physical activities
- Running on uneven surfaces or slippery floors
- A sudden change in speed or direction can also cause an ankle injury. This is why it is important to be aware of your surroundings when you are playing sports.
Osteopathy for Ankle Injury
Osteopathy is a type of healthcare that aims to treat the body as a whole, rather than one part. Osteopaths are able to help with many different conditions, including ankle injuries. They use gentle techniques that can help relieve ankle pain and restore mobility.
The benefits of seeing an osteopath for ankle sprains include:
- Resolving inflammation and swelling quickly
- Reducing pain associated with sprains or dislocations in the ankle joint
- Improving mobility and strength in ankles making it easier to walk, run or play sports again
Can an Osteopath help with Ankle Injury?
Yes, an osteopath can help you with ankle injuries. Osteopaths are trained in the body’s structural framework and how it relates to ankle injuries. They have a thorough understanding of ankle muscles, bones, tendons, & ligaments working together.
They were studying anatomy whilst also comparing with real-life patients during treatment sessions. They can assess the effects of their treatments on the ankle.
Osteopaths aim to help improve your flexibility as well as prevent injury. They examine the areas that might be at risk before they occur (e.g., instability around your ankles).
They can also help reduce ankle pain caused by sprains or strains. Soft tissue manipulation techniques & applying pressure into specific areas can reduce tension.
Osteopathic Nonsurgical Treatment
Rest and protection from further injury are the first steps in treating an ankle sprain.
The majority of foot and ankle injuries require rest, elevation, and support with taping or bracing to heal.
It is critical to keep weight off the foot if you have a severe ankle sprain or fracture with obvious inflammation.
Your osteopath will use subtle techniques to treat the muscles in the leg affected by an ankle sprain. They may be able to safely apply gentle early mobilisation to the area, which can aid in healing.
If this is the case, your osteopath may tell you to modify your training.
What to expect after each osteopathic treatment?
You can expect a few things after each visit. First, your ankle will be gently manipulated to loosen the muscles around it. This is called “manipulation” and is done by an osteopath using their hands, elbows, or forearms.
Second, your ankle may be wrapped with a special tape to give it support. These bandages come in different flavours depending on how much pressure you want to put on your ankle during its recovery period.
You may also be prescribed exercises to do at home so that the muscles surrounding your injured joint stay strong while they heal.
In short: after visiting an osteopath for a sprained ankle injury, you should see improvement within a few weeks. If it is longer than usual, further investigation into the injury may be necessary.
What to do if you have an ankle injury
If you’ve injured your ankle, you need to seek medical attention.
Your ankle could be sprained or broken and could require treatment.
If you suspect that it is a severe injury, avoid weight-bearing activities such as walking on the injured foot. This is only until evaluated.
Apply ice to reduce swelling, rest, and elevate your leg. Use crutches or a cane if necessary, and seek medical attention if pain persists after 24 hours.
What not to do if you have an ankle injury
When you suffer from an ankle injury, it is important to avoid the following:
- moving your ankle (if you think it is a fracture)
- applying heat to the injured area
- taking painkillers, anti-inflammatory drugs, or any other medication without first consulting with a qualified medical practitioner
- Don’t exercise, play sports, or climb stairs until the pain subsides or you have been cleared to.
- Don’t place any weight on your ankle until you are sure it is strong enough to support your weight.
Ankle Injury Prevention
Ankle injuries can be avoided with proper precautions.
Whether you are an athlete or someone who enjoys being active, it’s important to wear the right shoe for your activity level and size.
You should also stretch & properly warm up before playing sports.
Below are some other tips for preventing ankle injuries:
- Wear shoes that fit properly.
- Wear ankle support.
- Be cautious in high heels and uneven surfaces.
Rehabilitation Exercises for Ankle Injury
If you have suffered an ankle injury, it is important to rest the joint as much as possible.
Gentle ankle mobility & stretching exercises improve flexibility in your feet and ankles.
The following are some exercise options:
- Gently bend and straighten your toes using a towel or resistance band around your foot.
- Gently bend and straighten your knees, keeping them at a 90-degree angle.
- Try rotating your ankles clockwise and counterclockwise to move your feet in small circles.
- Stand on one foot while holding onto something for support.
- Slowly lift and lower your body, keeping your feet flat on the ground. You can also do this exercise with one foot raised off of the floor in front of you.
- Put one foot on a step or bench, and try to lower yourself.
Try to do the above exercises at least once a day, preferably in the morning. You should start feeling better within a couple of days of starting these exercises. If you have any questions or concerns about your ankle pain, see your osteopath right away.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do I keep re-injuring my ankle?
You may have re-injured your ankle because you did too much too soon after your initial injury. Sometimes we didn’t give it enough time to heal. If you continue to injure the same area, see an osteopath for a thorough examination and treatment plan.
What should I do if my ankle hurts when I walk?
If your ankle hurts when you walk, reduce your distance and increase your breaks. If the pain persists, contact an osteopath for treatment.
What are the best shoes to wear if I have weak ankles?
Shoes with good arch support and shock absorption are recommended. It may be helpful to see a podiatrist who can recommend appropriate support.
Conclusion
We hope this article has helped you understand more about ankle injuries and the treatments available. If you have any further questions or would like to book an appointment with one of our expert osteopaths, please get in touch with us today at (02) 8054-7166.
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Our North Shore Osteopaths are here to help you with your pain so you can get back to living your best life without worrying about pain.
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