Ankle Sprains Eastwood

Treatment for Ankle Sprains Eastwood

What May Contribute to Ankle Sprains?

Did your ankle roll after landing on another person’s foot while playing sport?

Did you twist your ankle while walking or running on an uneven surface?

Did the ankle make a popping or cracking noise during the incident?

Are you experiencing ankle stiffness, swelling, or bruising that makes walking uncomfortable?

Ankle sprains are a commonly seen injury presentation at SA Running Injury Clinic. They involve injury to the ligaments that support and stabilise the ankle joint and may occur when the ankle twists, rolls, or moves beyond its usual range during walking, running, or landing activities.

As mentioned above, it is caused usually by a runner or walker misjudging a step, or landing on an uneven surface. In sport, it is from changing direction or landing on another competitor’s foot.

Ankle Sprains Treatment

These injuries are often associated with walking or running on uneven ground, awkward stepping movements, or sporting activities involving rapid direction changes and jumping.

After an ankle sprain, symptoms may include swelling, stiffness, bruising, and discomfort when standing or walking. Temporary support such as a walking boot, strapping, or crutches may occasionally be used during the early stages of management. Some individuals may experience ongoing ankle instability or persistent ankle discomfort following injury, including presentations related to Sinus Tarsi Syndrome.

Management for ankle sprains may include the following rehabilitation phases:

Phase One:

Early management approaches may focus on reducing swelling and supporting recovery using RICER principles.
Rest
Ice
Compression
Elevation

Phase Two:

Management strategies to assist ankle movement and flexibility
Massage
A guided stretching exercise approach

Phase Three:

Strengthen Muscle
Strengthening exercises for the calf, ankle, and foot muscles

Phase Four:

Management approaches addressing foot posture and biomechanics
Ankle sprains may be associated with foot movement patterns where the foot rolls outward, while Sinus Tarsi Syndrome may be linked to increased inward rolling of the foot.

Phase Five:

Exercise-based rehabilitation aimed at supporting balance, coordination, and sport-specific movement
Exercises designed around sport-specific movement patterns

EXO-L Ankle Brace for Support and Rehabilitation

For some runners and active individuals, ankle sprains may lead to ongoing ankle instability or difficulty returning to activity. The EXO-L ankle brace is a custom 3D-printed support designed to provide additional ankle support during movement while maintaining comfort and day-to-day mobility. At SA Running Injury Clinic, the brace may be considered as part of an ankle rehabilitation and support program.

Foot and Ankle Support Designed for Everyday Activity

Customised through a 3D scanning and printing process, the EXO-L brace is designed to provide personalised ankle support during activity and movement. Its lightweight design is commonly used by runners and active individuals participating in sport or exercise. In some cases, the brace may be claimable through private health insurance under podiatry orthotic cover. Rehabilitation approaches at SA Running Injury Clinic may additionally include gait retraining, strengthening programs, and footwear assessment to support return to activity.