|
Acute Ankle Conditions- Ankle
conditions are classified as acute for the first 72 hours
following an injury. Dependent upon the severity of
symptoms (degree of swelling, pain intensity, ability to
walk, etc.), following a severe twisted ankle or other
ankle injury you should consult a doctor for help in
determining whether there are any fractured bones or any
gross ligament instability. Treatment for acute injuries should
begin as soon as possible and focus on stabilization and
comfort. Chiropractors who specialize in sports injury,
extremity treatment, or
applied kinesiology typically have the expertise and
training to reduce the severity and recovery time of even severe sprains
that do not involve fractures or complete tearing of
connective tissue (See
Prevention
for more info). At home, the
R.I.C.E. treatment regime (rest, ice,
compression, elevation) is recommended to minimize
swelling. As stabilization is greatly encouraged to
prevent further injury and support recovery, the following
products are recommended for the acute stage
to provide compression and cryotherapy (cold therapy) to control the
inflammatory process, and stability to prevent further
injury.
Ideal products for this stage of injury:
Deluxe Ankle Support,
Lace-Up Ankle Support,
Dual Comfort CorPak 6" X 10"
or
Dual Comfort CorPak 3" X 5",
PowerWrap
Sub-Acute Ankle Conditions- Ankle
conditions are classified as sub-acute from 72 hours to
six to eight weeks after an injury. By this time, swelling
is under control and the ankle is well into the healing
stage. During this stage, ankle supports can provide
important support during rehabilitation. Rehabilitation
goals will include strengthening of supportive
musculature, restoring normal range of motion, and return
to normal performance levels for athletes. To
facilitate the goals of rehabilitation, ankle supports
should be more flexible, yet provide an adequate amount of
stability. Products
appropriate for this stage provide compression to control
residual swelling, along with support and stability to provide early
protection during activity.
Ideal products for this stage of injury:
PowerWrap,
Lightweight Elastic Ankle Support,
Deluxe Ankle Support,
Lace-Up Ankle Support,
Dual Comfort CorPak 6" X 10" or
Dual Comfort CorPak 3" X 5"
Chronic Ankle Conditions- Chronic
conditions, such as ongoing weakness or instability, may
be caused by repeated injuries or arthritis. Chiropractic
care at this stage is imperative to prevent dysfunction
elsewhere in the body by aiding in restoration of normal
proprioception of the foot and ankle joints. In
addition to corrective care, supports help
supplement weak muscles and ligaments while providing a
reassuring feeling of ankle strength and stability for
those with arthritis. Products appropriate for this stage
often provide warmth by constraining body heat to increase
circulation and thereby facilitate healing. They also
provide moderate to maximum stability or support to
prevent re-injury.
Ideal products for this stage of injury:
Fits-All Neoprene Ankle Support,
PowerWrap,
Lightweight Elastic Ankle Support,
Lace-Up Ankle Support
Recommended products for any type of ankle
injury:
Dual Comfort CorPak 6" X 10" or
Dual Comfort CorPak 3" X 5"
Choose the
right ankle support!
Ankle supports
are an effective method of stabilization following
ankle injuries such as: sprains and strains, or the removal of casting. They are
used for acute, sub-acute and chronic conditions, as well
as a preventive measure during activity. A variety of
designs allow for protection against inversion injuries,
as well as other types of ankle injuries.
Want to know
how to reduce inflammation.
Prevention
Ankle injuries typically occurs as the
result of trauma to the ligaments of the ankle.
Injury due to improper ankle movements (twists, rolling,
jams, etc.) typically following aberrant function of the
ankle joint as a whole. Generally speaking, the
stability of a joint is determined by the correct function
of several different types of connective tissue:
muscles/tendons, ligaments, and bone. If the muscles
move incorrectly, or do not contract during a certain
movement, tension is placed on the ligaments of the joint.
When this tension causes tearing or shearing of the
ligaments, the resulting condition is known as a sprain.
There are several factors involved in aberrant muscle
firing patterns. There are three general types of
intrinsic muscle/tendon dysfunctions that tend to cause a
muscle not to fire correctly. These are
origin/insertion dysfunction, spindle cell dysfunction,
and dysfunction at the musculo-tendinous junction.
Any physician or therapist trained in Applied Kinesiology
can identify and treat the dysfunction. Another
cause of inappropriate joint function is subluxation of
one of the bones of the joint. Improper
proprioceptive information from malpositioned bones can
cause deficient function of any joint of the body.
Some chiropractors, are trained (such as Dr. Robles,
Applied Kinesiologists, and sports injury specialists) to
identify and manipulate the joint and musculature to
restore proper motion and proprioception.
Identification and correction of aberrant joint function
can help prevent injury to many joints of the body to
ensure you can stay active and healthy.
Top
Keep in mind that these time
frames are only guidelines. Healing times may vary
depending on the severity of an injury. Consult your
healthcare professional to determine the best treatment
plan for your injury. |
