Chronic ankle pain following an injury is a common malady of athletes. The most common cause for a persistently painful ankle is incomplete healing of the joint after an ankle sprain. Chronic pain may also be related to repeated ankle injuries. Once an athlete has suffered an ankle injury, he/she is at increased risk for recurrent injuries, due to either incomplete healing with premature resumption of activity, or residual weakening of the support structures from the original injury. The most common causes of chronic ankle pain following injury are:
Ankle sprain with instability
Tendonitis or tendon tear
Neuritis (inflammation of the nerve that traverses the ankle joint)
Synovitis (inflammation of the lining of the joint).
Treatments
Pain in the ankle can restrict free movement and if it progresses chronically, it may immobilize you. It is therefore best to seek professional help to treat chronic ankle pain. At ABC Physical Therapy, we offer customized treatment to improve your overall health and well-being.
- Initial manual manipulation procedures include manual manipulation of the knee-cap to lessen inflammation in the ligaments. This can progress on to therapist-aided manipulation from both a face-down and face-up position. Upon discharge, the patient is usually advised a home-exercise program to strengthen the leg muscles.
- Physical therapy for chronic ankle pain comprise solutions such as RICE (Rest, Ice, Compression and Elevation), range of movement, stretching and strengthening exercises, electrotherapy, massage, splinting or bracing, footwear modification, and so on. Hot pack applications can help soften tissues, improve blood circulation and reduce pain. Medication to reduce orthopedic inflammation is also recommended.
- Myofascial release therapy focuses on relieving the soft tissue (fasica) restrictions that cause pain. The fascia is the tissue that surrounds the muscles and the fibers within them. The mysofascial massage resolves ankle pain by relieving the rigidity in the affected fascia.