RehabFAQs

when iss it ok to start rehab for a grade 2 ankle sprain

by Betsy Ryan Published 2 years ago Updated 1 year ago

How long does it take to recover from a Grade 2 ankle?

Dec 23, 2019 · Once the swelling and discomfort are starting to subside, it’s time to begin strengthening exercises to rehab your sprained ankle. Exercises such as using resistance bands, performing toe raises, and doing lunges are great at helping to rebuild the strength you need in your ankle. As you recover, begin proprioceptive training

Can a Grade 2 sprained ankle be treated at home?

For a Grade 2 sprain, a detachable plastic device such as a cast boot or an air stirrup-type brace can be used to give support and protection from further injury. Depending on the severity of the sprain (grade 3), a short leg cast or cast-brace may be required for 2 to 3 weeks. How bad is a grade 2 ankle sprain? Your ligament is partially ...

How do you know if you have a Grade 2 sprain?

A top notch rehab program will enable you to heal a grade 2 ankle sprain fully and quickly. Here’s a quick overview of all the things a good ankle rehab program will do for you: Remove swelling and waste from the ankle safely and quickly. Encourage the flow of the first wave of Macrophages to remove cellular debris.

How long does it take for an ankle sprain to heal?

The recovery time of a grade 2 ankle sprain is usually 2-4 weeks. Grade 3 Ankle Sprain A grade 3 ankle sprain is a complete tear of the anterior talofibular ligament. A grade 3 ankle sprain causes much more swelling, pain, and coloring than a grade …

How long should you stay off a grade 2 ankle sprain?

Grades of ankle sprain severitySeverityDamage to ligamentsRecovery timeGrade 1Minimal stretching, no tearing1–3 weeksGrade 2Partial tear3–6 weeksGrade 3Full tear or ruptureUp to several months1 more row

How soon after ankle sprain can I rehab?

Start rehab with range-of-motion exercises in the first 72 hours after your injury. Continue with further rehab, including stretching, strength training, and balance exercises, over the next several weeks to months. You can do rehab exercises at home or even at the office to strengthen your ankle.

When can you walk after grade 2 ankle sprain?

Grade 2 ankle sprains take about 6 to 8 weeks before you regain full mobility. Much of that has to do with scar tissue formation, which takes at least 6 weeks to properly form and support your ankle.

How much recovery time does a grade 2 sprain require?

Grade 2 ankle sprains involve greater injury to the ligament and can take up 4-6 weeks to allow full return to sport. Grade 3 injuries are more severe in nature and often involve full tearing of the ligament and possible bone fracture.Aug 31, 2016

Will a grade 2 ankle sprain heal on its own?

A grade 2 sprained ankle will result in significant swelling and bruising. It is possible, though not as likely, to need surgery for a grade 2 sprain, depending on the severity of the sprain. It can take well over a month to fully heal from a grade 2 sprain.

How do you treat a grade 2 ankle sprain?

When it comes to Grade 2 sprains, you can utilize an Aircast with or without crutches. Start physical therapy within the first three to four days and instruct the patient to walk on the ankle as soon as he or she can tolerate it.

What is the fastest way to heal a grade 2 ankle sprain?

RICERest. Resting the ankle is key for healing, and wearing a brace can help stabilize the injured area. ... Ice. Using an ice pack may reduce blood flow to the injury and help ease pain and swelling. ... Compression. Compression helps stabilize the injured joint and may reduce swelling. ... Elevation.Nov 29, 2019

How do I know when my sprained ankle is fully healed?

To determine whether your ankle has healed enough for you to return to athletic activities, your physical therapist or doctor will evaluate your walking and weight bearing ability. They may also ask you to hop on that foot. You may need an X-ray or other diagnostic imagery to determine whether healing is complete.Mar 11, 2021

Should a sprained ankle still be swollen after 2 weeks?

This level of sprain shouldn't result in any instability or muscle weakness but can cause minor swelling. Grade 1 sprained ankle recovery time is anywhere from 2 weeks to a month, normally closer to the two-week mark with proper treatment.Apr 16, 2018

Can you walk on a grade 2 ankle sprain?

The ankle feels stable and it is usually possible to walk with minimal pain. Grade 2: A more severe sprain, but incomplete tear with moderate pain, swelling and bruising. Although it feels somewhat stable, the damaged areas are tender to the touch and walking is painful.

Will my ankle ever be the same after a sprain?

"An ankle sprain that lingers beyond 3 months is often an injury to a bone, tendon or ligament that is unlikely to heal without intervention," he says. "And the longer an ankle injury persists without proper treatment, the greater the likelihood that permanent disability will result."Nov 10, 2020

How long should I stay off a sprained ankle?

Depending on the severity of the injury, she advises patients to avoid any impact on the injured ankle, including running and other athletic pursuits, for four-to-six weeks before gradually working up to previous levels.

What is a grade 2 ankle sprain?

Grade 2 Ankle Sprain. Symptoms. A grade 2 ankle sprain is considered a moderate injury. It is not as severe as a grade 3, but definitely more serious than a grade 1 sprain. Grade 2 usually means partial tearing of the ligaments in the ankle. Of course, before you do anything else, you should get an x-ray to rule out a fracture.

What is the best ankle rehab program?

Here’s a quick overview of all the things a good ankle rehab program will do for you: Encourage the flow of the first wave of Macrophages to remove cellular debris. Encourage a second wave of Macrophages to repair and regenerate healthy tissue in the ankle.

How long does it take to recover from HEM?

The HEM Ankle Rehab program gets people walking normally again, pain free in 5-10 days and significantly lowers the risk of re-injury. That means you will not need ankle braces, tape or wraps. You will be walking, running and jumping pain free and with full power without the fear of spraining your ankles again.

Is ankle stiffness bad for you?

The ankle can stay weak, unstable and stiff, potentially for life. That’s bad! Remember, every movement you make in the lower body begins with the foot, ankle and calf. It is the base of your body. You need that area to be mobile and healthy to have good athletic performance and pain free movement patterns.

Can you walk with a torn ligament in your ankle?

Partial tearing of ankle ligaments. Ankle is somewhat unstable. Moderate amount of pain, bruising and swelling. In the first few days, walking should be possible , although probably difficult and painful. You should be able to move the ankle somewhat, but you can expect some pain, especially at certain angles of movement.

Can you break your ankle?

It’s unlikely, but you want to make sure there isn’t any kind of a break, because if so, you have to keep it immobile until it heals. But, if there isn’t a fracture, you want to do the opposite (a rehab program) as soon as possible to ensure safe and full healing of the ankle.

Can ankles be improved?

You can expect a significant improvement in healthy range of motion in the ankles, feet and calves… you can expect much more strength and stability in the ankles… and you can expect improved overall movement (balance, agility, speed, jumping, etc.).

How long does it take to recover from a grade 3 ankle sprain?

The recovery time of a grade 3 ankle sprain is usually 4-6 weeks. When you have twisted your ankle even worse, this can cause a fracture in your ankle. A fracture happens when not only your ligament tears, but your ligament also pulls off a piece of the bone. It is called an avulsion fracture.

How to fix a sprained ankle?

Sprained ankle exercise 1: Restore the stability of your ankle. The first exercise we are going to perform is designed to increase the stability of your ankle. When you train the control of your ankle, you will put a load on the damaged tissue. Your body needs this load to repair the ligament correctly.

What is eversion in a sprained ankle?

Eversion is the movement where you bend your foot outwards. These bones are held together by various ligaments. The ligaments are the structures that become damaged when you have a sprained ankle. The amount of damage defines if you have a grade 1,2, or 3 ankle sprain.

What are the movements of the ankle joint?

Movements of the ankle. Since the ankle joint is a combination of 2 joints, movement is possible in many directions. The movements performed by your Talocrural Joint are dorsiflexion and plantarflexion. When performing dorsiflexion of your foot, you lift your foot towards your lower leg.

What is the joint called when you sprained your ankle?

Your ankle is a combination of two joints. Your Tibia, Fibula, and Talus together form the essential joint of your ankle. This joint is called the Talocrural Joint.

How many grades of ankle sprains are there?

There are three grades of ankle sprains which I will discuss here. Basically, the higher the grade, the more severe your pain and symptoms are, and the longer the recovery time is. I’ll show you the different symptoms of all three ankle sprain grades as well as the recovery time for each of them.

What is the tibia joint?

That is why it is called the Talocrural Joint. The tibia and fibula are held together by two ligaments: The anterior and posterior tibiofibular ligament. Your Talus, Calcaneus (heel bone), and Navicular bone together form the second joint of your ankle. Therefore it’s called the Talocalcaneonavicular joint.

Abstract

Lateral ankle sprain the most common injury in physically active populations. Individuals who sustain an acute lateral ankle sprain may not receive timely formal rehabilitation and are at an increased risk to have subsequent sprains which can lead to chronic pain and instability.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Lateral ankle sprains (LAS) are one of the most common injuries sustained during sport and exercise among active teenagers and young adults. 1, 2 Most patients with LAS do not receive supervised rehabilitation and the majority of costs associated with LAS come from physician evaluations.

CASE DESCRIPTIONS

The Brooke Army Medical Center Institutional Review Board in Fort Sam Houston, TX reviewed the protocol for this study and informed consent was obtained from the participants prior to data collection.

OUTCOMES

Patients started treatment an average of 2.3 days following injury (range 1-5 days) with an average of eight clinical visits over 6-9 weeks. All patients completed the entirety of treatment and follow up evaluations.

DISCUSSION

These outcomes suggest that a comprehensive clinical strategy for patients with acute primary grade II lateral ankle sprains with an emphasis on requirements for ligament protection while maintaining range of motion and timing appropriate return to function with patient tailored treatment and activity is promising and merits further study.

CONCLUSION

The results of this prospective case series suggest that a treatment approach designed to protect the injured ligament, maintain and restore normal ankle motion, and provide a tailored functional pathway to return to run and sport demonstrated resolution of symptoms and improvement in reported functional outcomes in a group of patients following grade II acute primary ankle sprains..

REFERENCES

1. Gribble PA Bleakley CM Caulfield BM et al. 2016 consensus statement of the International Ankle Consortium: prevalence, impact and long-term consequences of lateral ankle sprains. Br J Sports Med. 2016;50(24):1493-1495. [ PubMed] [ Google Scholar]

How to tell if you have a grade 2 sprained ankle?

The most immediate sign of a grade 2 sprained ankle is bruising and swelling. When the sprain is received, the ankle should begin to swell almost immediately, and bruising should follow soon after. A grade 2 sprained ankle causes moderate pain, swelling of the joint, and some joint instability.

How long does it take to heal a sprained ankle?

Grade 1 sprained ankle recovery time is anywhere from 2 weeks to a month , normally closer to the two-week mark with proper treatment. A grade 1 sprained ankle can be treated almost entirely at home. The pain is fairly minor, if difficult to deal with. However, “home treatment” doesn’t mean “no treatment”.

What does a grade 3 ankle sprain mean?

Finally, you might receive a grade 3 ankle sprain. If you do, you need to forget the idea of home treatment. A grade 3 sprained ankle could mean ligamentous rupture, which can cause permanent damage to the joint. Besides that, bruising and swelling will be extensive.

How often do you sprain your ankle?

Orthopedists deal with sprained ankles just about every day. They’re the most common injury by a landslide and a sort of inevitability. Most people sprain their ankle at least once in life, and especially active people tend to do it a few times. However, each sprained ankle requires it’s own care and diagnosis.

What is the least severe ankle sprain?

A grade 1 ankle sprain is the least severe and, accordingly, requires the least amount of time to recover. A grade 1 sprain occurs when there is only minor damage, and stretching of the ligaments. If you are suffering from a grade 1 sprain, you will feel only a little soreness.

Can you rest your ankle after a sprained ankle?

However, if you’ve done significant damage to the ankle, you could be resting it for a while. Here’s a breakdown of what sprained ankle recovery time looks like, and what you should expect if you sprain your ankle.

Can you treat a grade 2 ankle tear?

A grade 2 sprained ankle should not be treated at home unless you or someone who can care for you is a medical professional. Grade 2 sprained ankles often involve a partial tear in ligaments. Several things, such as too much pressure or even a minor second injury, can severely compound the ligament tear.

How long does it take to recover from a grade 2 ankle sprain?

Grade 2 ankle sprains involve greater injury to the ligament and can take up 4-6 weeks to allow full return to sport. Once recovered from a level 2 ankle sprain a person who should be able to return to playing sports such as basketball, volleyball, soccer and running at roughly the same level as before.

What is the treatment for a Grade 2 ankle sprain?

Successful treatment of a Grade 2 ankle sprain involves rest, limited handling of the injury, and rehabilitation. We hope this article has been helpful in answering your questions about your ankle sprain and helps you have a speedy recovery!

How to treat a sprained ankle?

An ankle sprain is a common sports injury that can sideline you for a period of time if not properly treated. There are several key steps to treat an ankle sprain. Commonly referred to as the RICE protocol: 1 Rest 2 Ice to reduce swelling 3 Elevation 4 Compression bandage to limit swelling in the joint

Why does my ankle sprain make a popping sound?

This is because the ligaments have stretched and the bone has been displaced. The good news is that this means the ligaments will rebuild and strengthen with rest and treatment.

What sports can you play after a level 2 ankle sprain?

Once recovered from a level 2 ankle sprain a person who should be able to return to playing sports such as basketball, volleyball, soccer and running at roughly the same level as before.

What is the protocol for a sprained ankle?

There are several key steps to treat an ankle sprain. Commonly referred to as the RICE protocol: Compression bandage to limit swelling in the joint.

How to reduce swelling in ankle?

Compression bandage to limit swelling in the joint. The University of Michigan Medicine website advises: As soon as possible after an injury, such as a knee or ankle sprain, you can relieve pain and swelling and promote healing and flexibility with RICE—Rest, Ice , Compression, and Elevation.

What to do after ankle sprain?

The old adage of Rest, Ice, Compression, and Elevation (RICE) for ankle sprain rehab is far outdated. Complete rest is one of the worst things you can do following an ankle sprain, and instead, a new acronym called P.O.L.I.C.E is now the recommendation. Rest is replaced by P rotection, and O ptimal L oading. This means that early on, we need to protect the injured areas by not over-stressing the tissues, but still apply healthy sub-maximal loads to the tissues that actually stimulate the healing process. More on these exact exercises in a bit, but make sure you watched the video at the beginning of this article to learn how to safely progress exercises!

How to protect ankle after sprain?

Protection of the injured area immediately after an ankle sprain means that we should strive to not do any activities or movements that cause an increase in baseline pain levels. This means that the general rule of thumb for these exercises is only to move within your tolerable pain-free ranges! Because most ankle sprains involve the ligaments on the outside of the ankle, moving the ankle inwards will typically cause discomfort. This is because you are putting a little stretch on the injured ligament, so be cautious with the inward direction in the first week or so! You will be able to slowly reintroduce this movement after the initial acute phase of the injury once your symptoms begin to subside.

What is lateral ankle sprain?

A lateral ankle sprain refers to a ligament injury of either the anterior talofibular (ATFL) and/or posterior talofibular ligament (PTFL) and/or the calcaneofibular ligament ( CFL). These ligaments are described based on what bones they connect to. These ligaments collectively provide stability to the lateral aspect of the ankle.

Why does moving my ankle hurt?

Because most ankle sprains involve the ligaments on the outside of the ankle, moving the ankle inwards will typically cause discomfort. This is because you are putting a little stretch on the injured ligament, so be cautious with the inward direction in the first week or so!

Why is it so hard to sprain your ankle?

Lateral ankle sprains can be challenging and frustrating due to having the highest injury AND reinjury rate amongst any lower-body injury. The high reinjury rates are likely because most ankle sprains aren’t properly managed in the first place.

What is a sprained ankle?

An ankle sprain is an injury to the ligaments of the ankle. Ligaments are a type of connective tissue that connects bones to other bones to provide stability to joints and prevent excessive movement. While the ankle has an abundant supply of ligaments, the most commonly sprained ligaments in the ankle are all on the lateral or outside portion ...

Is it easier to sprain the medial or lateral ankle ligaments?

It is much easier to sprain the lateral ankle ligaments versus the medial ankle ligaments or the structures involved in high ankle sprains because of the common mechanism of injury (rolling the ankle) and the lateral ligaments are simply inferior in comparison when it comes to their quantity and design. Up to 70% of the general population have ...

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