Along with plantar fasciitis, ankle fracture is also a common problem and is mostly seen in adulthood - from 45 to 55 years.

The fracture can occur due to stepping on the outer or inner edge of the foot, its sharp outward curvature, when falling on the foot from a great height, when a direct blow on the bone of the ankle joint, etc.

Regardless of whether the orthopedist will recommend conservative or surgical treatment, the recovery period requires rehabilitation.

The rehabilitation field after ankle fracture

Rehabilitation is initiated at the discretion of the treating physician who monitors healing. The primary goal of ankle fracture rehabilitation is to restore function to the maximum extent possible. The resulting edema, impaired skin mobility and cicatris are addressed, muscle strength is worked on for better joint stabilization, etc.

The kinesiotherapist also focuses on adjacent joints that may be negatively affected by sparing the limb and walking with crutches. Massage, cryotherapy, strength, volume and balance exercises are suitable for this purpose. The therapeutic exercise programme is gradually expanded and complicated until the leg reaches normal functionality.

Exercises to move after ankle fracture

Conducting rehabilitation for faster recovery of the ankle includes various exercises for agitation. Each of these should be started slowly and with pain reduce repetitions.

If you do not perform exercises to move after breaking an ankle under the supervision of a physiotherapist, and at home, seek advice from a doctor what are appropriate for your problem.

Exercise 1. - from sitting on a chair

Assume a seated position with feet placed on the floor.
Slightly lift the affected leg.
Try to write the alphabet with your fingers on the floor.

Exercise helps to get a good range of motion in different directions of the ankle joint.

Exercise 2. - from sitting on a chair

From a seated position, place your feet parallel to each other with your knees should be apart.
Move the knee slowly with trauma inward and then outward.
Move the knee in this way for 3 min.

Exercise 3. - with a towel from sitting on a chair

Assume a sitting position and place your injured leg on a towel on the floor.
Try to wring the cloth with your fingers.
Straighten the folds of the towel in the opposite way.

For increased difficulty, small objects can be placed and moved with the fingers.

Exercise 4. - with a towel from sitting on the floor

Take a medium sized towel and sit with legs stretched out on the floor.
Place the towel around the foot in front of it.
Grasp the towel with both hands and slowly pull it towards the body.
Try to hold in the end position for about 15-30 sec.
Do 2 to 4 repetitions.

The exercise can be practiced up to 5 times a day.

Exercise 5. - from sitting on the floor with an elastic band

Sit on the ground and stretch your legs by placing your feet in a vertical position on a wall or piece of furniture.
Use a fitness band and tie it around the sole of your injured foot.
Then pass the tape under the sole of the healthy foot and stretch it.
Begin the exercise by pulling the foot outwards, against the resistance of the band.

Do the exercise 10 times.

The exercise examples given do not exhaust all possibilities. The important thing is to undertake early rehabilitation after an ankle fracture so that the tissues repair and new cells of fibrous tissue, bone and cartilage appear at the fracture site.

If you need rehabilitation after breaking an ankle, contact Octo. Experienced therapists at the clinics will use complex exercises and effective techniques to ease your discomfort and stimulate the recovery process.