(How taking these steps could prevent issues years from now)

Ankle sprains are a common injury to the tune of nearly 2 million per year. The majority of these sprains are relatively mild, healing in a few days. However, some are more significant and require attention. Regardless, even seemingly minor sprains can use a little TLC to prevent issues years later.

Why exactly do even minor sprains needs some attention?

Well, even in the event of minor injury, some “damage” to the ligaments and tendons of the ankle occurs. The ligaments and tendons function to provide stability to the ankle. So in the event of even minor injury, some change to the “stability” mechanism of the ankle may occur. This may not seem like much at the time. But over time, one may be aware that the ankle just feels different walking on uneven grass or walking on the sand at the beach. This slight difference can make a person susceptible to future sprains. These in turn further alter the stability of the ankle and lead to more problems.

So…here are the most important steps to take…to avoid future issues

1. Work on balance. The ultimate goal is to balance on 1 foot for at least 1 minute- eyes closed.
2. Line hopping. Can you hop with 2 feet and then just 1 over and back across a line
3. Maximize ankle mobility. Work to make sure the ankle has full motion in all directions
4. Strengthen the ankle. Learn a series of strengthening exercises so the muscles make up for any slight change in ligament/tendon strength

If a person addresses these 4 components they are much less likely to develop issues years down the road.

Learning and then completing a program like this will not take up much time in a day (< 10 min). But it will prove quite valuable at avoiding future issues.

Should you be looking for more specific information on foot/ankle issues or interested to learning how to address any foot/ankle concerns you may have, click the following LINK to request a call back to discuss your concerns.