WHAT IS AN ANKLE SPRAIN?

An ankle sprain occurs when the ligaments that stabilise the ankle are stretched or torn, usually after the foot rolls inwards. This commonly occurs during activities involving jumping and landing, changing direction quickly, walking on uneven ground, or simply missing a step. Symptoms often include pain, swelling, bruising, difficulty walking and a feeling that the ankle is unstable.

Why shouldn't you just "walk it off"?

Many people assume an ankle sprain will heal on its own after a few weeks. While the pain often settles, the underlying problems can remain. Without appropriate rehabilitation, an ankle sprain may lead to ongoing weakness, reduced balance and coordination, persistent stiffness, recurrent sprains and chronic ankle instability. Research consistently shows that a previous ankle injury is one of the strongest predictors of future ankle injuries.

Who is most at risk?

The highest ankle injury rates are in team sports involving frequent jumping, rapid changes of direction and player contact, including:

• Basketball

• Volleyball

• Rugby

• Soccer

• Handball

• Netball

However, ankle sprains aren't limited to athletes. We regularly see these injuries occur during walking, hiking, gym training and everyday activities.

How APEX Health Movement can help

At APEX Health Movement, our team takes a collaborative approach to ankle rehabilitation. Rather than simply treating the pain, we identify why the injury occurred and develop a personalised treatment plan to restore movement, improve strength and reduce the likelihood of future injuries.

Physiotherapy & Chiropractic Care

Our Physiotherapists and Chiropractors use hands-on treatment techniques such as joint mobilisation, soft tissue therapy, massage and exercise to reduce pain, improve ankle mobility and restore normal movement. These treatments can also help manage swelling and stiffness, making it easier to begin your rehabilitation exercises. While manual therapy can provide valuable short-term relief, it is most effective when combined with an active rehabilitation program.

Exercise Physiology

Once your pain and movement begin to improve, our Exercise Physiologists guide your rehabilitation through progressive exercise. Your program is designed to rebuild strength, balance, proprioception, mobility and power while gradually preparing you to return safely to work, sport or everyday activities. This approach not only helps you recover but also reduces the risk of another ankle sprain.

The importance of rehabilitation

Recovering from an ankle sprain involves much more than waiting for the swelling to disappear. A structured rehabilitation program progressively restores strength, balance, single-leg control, jumping and landing mechanics, agility and confidence. Completing your rehabilitation, even after the pain has settled is one of the most effective ways to reduce the risk of re-injury.