Physiotherapy for Ankle Sprains
At Move Physiotherapy, we know how frustrating and painful an ankle sprain can be. Whether you’ve rolled your ankle playing sport, stepped awkwardly off a curb, or twisted it on uneven ground, we’re here to help you get back on your feet—literally!
Ankle sprains are one of the most common injuries we treat, but no two are the same. Some are mild and heal quickly, while others can lead to chronic instability if not properly rehabilitated. Either way, early treatment and guided rehab can significantly speed up recovery and prevent future injuries.
At Move Physiotherapy, our experienced team will:
✔ Accurately assess the severity of your sprain and determine if an X-ray is needed.
✔ Use hands-on treatment to reduce pain, swelling, and stiffness.
✔ Guide you through a personalized rehab program to restore movement, strength, and balance.
✔ Help you return to sport or daily activities safely—without the risk of re-injury.
With state-of-the-art rehab gym facilities and expert physiotherapists at our Fremantle, Booragoon, and East Fremantle clinics, you’ll receive the best possible care to get you back to doing what you love—faster and stronger than before!
What Happens When You Roll Your Ankle?
An ankle sprain happens when the ligaments in your ankle stretch too far or tear, usually due to a sudden twist, roll, or awkward landing. Most commonly, this affects the ligaments on the outside of your ankle, especially the Anterior Talofibular Ligament (ATFL) and Calcaneofibular Ligament (CFL).
The severity of an ankle sprain can range from mild to severe, depending on how much damage has occurred:
- Mild Sprain (Grade 1) – Slight overstretching of the ligament, causing minor swelling and discomfort.
- Moderate Sprain (Grade 2) – Partial tearing of the ligament, leading to more pain, swelling, and difficulty walking.
- Severe Sprain (Grade 3) – Complete ligament tear, often resulting in significant swelling, instability, and sometimes the need for a moon boot or crutches.
In some cases, a sprained ankle can be accompanied by a fracture, especially if there is severe bruising, deformity, or an inability to put weight on the foot. If left untreated, repeated ankle sprains can lead to chronic instability, putting you at higher risk for future injuries.
Ankle Rehabilitation Protocol
Acute Phase – Reduce Pain and Swelling
In the first few days after an ankle sprain, our focus is on reducing pain, swelling, and stiffness. During this phase, we may use:
✔ Hands-on treatment – Joint mobilization, massage, and dry needling to ease discomfort.
✔ Taping or bracing – To provide stability and prevent further injury.
✔ Gentle movement exercises – To improve blood flow and prevent stiffness.
While avoiding aggravating activities is important, complete rest can slow healing. Early movement and controlled weight-bearing are key to recovery!
Stage 2: Restore Mobility & Strength
Once the swelling and pain have settled, we focus on regaining movement, strength, and balance. This includes:
✔ Range of motion exercises – Ensuring the ankle regains full flexibility.
✔ Strength training – Targeted exercises to rebuild the muscles around the ankle and lower leg.
✔ Proprioception & balance work – Helping your ankle “re-learn” how to stabilize itself, reducing the risk of re-injury.
Stage 3: Sport Specific Training
If you’re an athlete or someone who enjoys an active lifestyle, proper return-to-sport testing is essential. Before you return to running, jumping, or cutting movements, we’ll ensure you can:
✔ Hop and land on one foot without pain or instability.
✔ Run and change direction confidently.
✔ Perform sport-specific drills to test ankle strength under pressure.
For high-risk sports like soccer, netball, basketball, and running, we also provide injury prevention strategies to keep your ankles strong and stable for the long term.
