Initial Rehabilitation After Lateral Ankle Ligament Surgery

Understanding Ankle Sprains and Ligament Damage

A sprained ankle commonly refers to a partial or complete tear of the ankle ligament.
In many cases, people do not experience severe symptoms even without treatment. However, if the ligament heals in a stretched state, ankle stability decreases.

This instability increases the likelihood of reinjury when walking on uneven surfaces or engaging in sports activities.
Repeated ankle sprains can lead to cartilage damage, which may result in arthritis.
In severe cases, ankle replacement or fusion surgery may be required. However, before reaching that stage, ligament reconstruction surgery can help restore normal joint function.

1. Rehabilitation After Lateral Ankle Ligament Surgery (Immobilization Period)

After surgery, a cast is usually worn for about four weeks.

During this period, inactivity can lead to significant muscle loss and decline in muscle function.
Therefore, it is important to engage in exercises even while wearing the cast.

Since direct ankle movement is restricted during this phase, focus on strengthening the thighs, hips, toes, and core muscles.
Toe exercises are particularly important to prevent calf muscle atrophy after cast removal.
Recommended exercises include:

  • Straight Leg Raise (SLR) in Four Directions
  • Quadriceps Set (Q-set)
  • Ball Squeeze Exercise
  • Leg Extension & Leg Curl Exercises

These exercises help maintain muscle strength and function.

2. Rehabilitation After Cast Removal (Week 4-6 Post-Surgery)

After the cast is removed, an air cast (ankle brace) is typically used to protect the surgical site.

At this stage, isometric exercises help restore muscle contraction around the ankle.

Range of Motion (ROM) Exercises:

  • Should be done gradually and passively within a pain-free range.
  • Avoid eversion (outward movement) and inversion (inward movement) to protect the healing tissue.
  • Focus only on dorsiflexion (upward movement) and plantar flexion (downward movement).

Recommended Exercises:

  1. Isometric Ankle Exercises – Minimize pain while activating muscles.
  2. Towel Curl Exercise – Strengthens toe grip muscles.
  3. Toe Exercises Using Small Objects – Picking up marbles or coins with toes.

(1) Towel Curl Exercise

  • Grab a towel with your toes and gradually pull it towards you.
  • Initially, you may struggle to grip the towel properly.
  • If it's difficult, try the movement with the uninjured foot first to understand the correct motion.
  • Once it becomes easier, place a small weight (e.g., a dumbbell) on the towel for added resistance.

(2) Isometric Exercises

  • Plantar Flexion:

    • Use a non-elastic towel to cover the sole of your foot.
    • Pull the towel towards you while pushing your foot downward, resisting the pull.
    • Hold for 10 seconds per repetition, 3 sets per session.


  • Dorsiflexion:

    • Apply light resistance to the top of the foot with the uninjured foot.
    • Try to lift the injured foot upward while maintaining resistance.
    • Keep resistance low to avoid pain.
    • Hold for 10 seconds per repetition, 3 sets per session.


  • Eversion (Outward Movement):

    • Wrap a towel around the outer side of your foot and step on it with the opposite foot to prevent movement.
    • Gently push your pinky toe outward against the towel, maintaining tension.
    • Avoid excessive force to prevent pain.
    • Hold for 10 seconds per repetition, 3 sets per session.

3. Conclusion

In this guide, we covered early rehabilitation methods after lateral ankle ligament surgery.

Many patients experience limited range of motion and weak ankle stability due to insufficient rehabilitation.
Some also develop improper walking habits because of muscle weakness.

To avoid long-term complications and residual symptoms, consistent rehabilitation exercises are crucial.
Stay dedicated to your rehabilitation and work towards a full recovery!

Popular posts from this blog

Rehabilitation after surgery for anterior cruciate ligament of the knee, part 3

Image
  Hello. This time, after carrying the weight of rehabilitation after anterior cruciate ligament surgery, before taking off the crutches I'll post about how to rehabilitate until (usually 3 to 6 weeks). Usually, the anterior cruciate ligament solo surgery starts putting weight on about 14 days after the surgery. (If your doctor tells you to start later, follow his opinion.) When putting on weight for the first time, wear the brace at 0 degrees and start walking on crutches. The first time you step on your foot after surgery, you're scared, and the surgical site may be tingling, but if you walk a few steps You can get used to it quickly. Some people are asking if it's okay to stop because crutches are annoying when you're in the fifth week of surgery, but if you don't have crutches and suddenly put on a lot of weight, it can be a strain on the area you operated on, and for safety reasons, it is recommended that you maintain crutches for six weeks. 1. Weight transfer ...
Read more

How to Properly Recover from an Ankle Sprain

Image
Introduction Ankle sprains are common injuries that occur while walking, running, or playing sports like basketball and soccer. Most ankle sprains involve stretching or tearing of the ligaments on the outer side of the ankle. If not treated properly, chronic instability can develop, sometimes requiring surgery. Proper care after an injury is crucial for maintaining a healthy ankle. Let’s go over the essential steps to manage an ankle sprain effectively. 1. Apply Ice Packs When you sprain your ankle, pain and swelling occur immediately. Applying an ice pack to the injured area can help reduce inflammation and swelling. Ice therapy also constricts blood vessels, minimizing internal bleeding, and provides a numbing effect to reduce pain and muscle spasms. How to Use Ice Packs: Ice packs are most effective within the first 48 hours of injury. Apply ice for 20 minutes every 2 hours. Do not apply ice directly to the skin; wrap it in a...
Read more