Ankle Sprain Treatment in Joondalup: Recovering Fully and Avoiding Re-Injury
Manual therapy and a structured rehab program can help you recover from an ankle sprain and reduce the chance of it happening again.
What Is an Ankle Sprain?
Ankle sprains are one of the most common injuries we see, whether from sport, an uneven footpath or simply rolling an ankle around the house.
We treat them often across Joondalup and Perth’s northern suburbs, and getting the early management right makes a real difference to how well the ankle recovers.
Most ankle sprains involve the ligaments on the outer side of the ankle, which stretch or tear when the foot rolls inward beyond its normal range, most often during a change of direction or an awkward landing. Sprains are generally graded from mild, grade one, where the ligament is stretched but intact, through to grade three, where the ligament is completely torn. More significant sprains can involve swelling, bruising and real difficulty weight bearing, and it’s worth ruling out a fracture in these cases before starting treatment.
Symptoms of an Ankle Sprain
- Pain and swelling around the outer ankle, appearing quickly after the injury
- Bruising that can develop over the following day or two
- Difficulty putting weight through the foot, particularly with more significant sprains
- A feeling of instability or the ankle giving way, especially with recurrent sprains
- Stiffness and reduced range of motion as swelling settles
What Causes Ankle Sprains
- Rolling the ankle inward during sport, running on uneven ground or an awkward step
- A previous ankle sprain that wasn’t fully rehabilitated, which is one of the strongest risk factors for another one
- Reduced ankle strength or balance, making the joint less able to correct itself mid-movement
- Wearing unsuitable footwear for the activity, such as worn out shoes with little ankle support
What the Research Shows
Manual joint mobilisation has good evidence for both fresh and ongoing ankle sprains.
A systematic review by Loudon et al. (2014) found that manual joint mobilisation reduced pain and increased ankle range of motion in acute sprains, and improved range of motion, pain and function in subacute and chronic sprains, with no adverse effects reported across the included studies.
How We Can Help
Because how you rehab an ankle sprain has a big influence on whether it happens again, treatment focuses on restoring full movement and strength, not just letting the swelling settle.
This might include:
Hands on mobilisation and manipulation of the ankle joint, the specific approach shown in the research above to reduce pain and improve range of motion in both fresh and ongoing ankle sprains.
A gentle, low-force alternative for restoring ankle joint movement, useful where a lower-force technique is preferred.
Hands on work to the muscles around the ankle and lower leg to reduce compensatory tension as you recover.
A progressive strengthening and balance program, since poor rehab is one of the biggest risk factors for spraining the same ankle again.
Taping to support the ankle and provide proprioceptive feedback as you return to activity.
A low-load option that can help manage pain and swelling in the early stages after a sprain.
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References
- Loudon JK, Reiman MP, Sylvain J. The efficacy of manual joint mobilisation/manipulation in treatment of lateral ankle sprains: a systematic review. British Journal of Sports Medicine. 2014;48(5):365-370. PMID 23980032
Disclaimer: This page is intended as general information only and does not replace individual assessment and advice from a qualified health professional. If you're dealing with ankle pain or swelling following a sprain, book an appointment with our team so we can assess your specific situation and recommend an appropriate treatment plan.
Location Details
| Day | Hours |
|---|---|
| Sunday | 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM |
| Monday | 9:00 AM - 7:00 PM |
| Tuesday | 8:00 AM - 7:00 PM |
| Wednesday | 8:00 AM - 7:00 PM |
| Thursday | 8:00 AM - 7:00 PM |
| Friday | 8:00 AM - 7:00 PM |
| Saturday | 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM |
