Hello! We continue with this interesting and important topic in the quality of life of a person.
Let’s start by remembering that the function of the ligaments is joint stability.
A sprain is the partial or total rupture of one or more ligaments, which consequently can compromise the stability of a joint and the general balance. Sprains can be grade I, II or III, according to their severity; and its management depends on the degree of injury.
Once a sprain occurs, regardless of the degree, it needs the famous RICE (rest, ice, compression (bandage) and elevation) for the first 3 days to control inflammation and pain. If your sprain is grade I or grade II, once the inflammation has been controlled and you can put weight on your foot and walk, we go to a phase of “relative rest” where little by little you return to the basic activities of your life, always and when these do not cause pain.
You will need to modify the intensity and duration of these activities and in some cases the way you do the activity. For example, if going up and down stairs causes you pain, your body will find ways to do it with less pain by doing it one leg at a time. The use of a cane or crutches may be necessary. This will be determined by an orthopedic doctor or your physical therapist depending on your specific case.
In cases of grade III (severe) sprains, some type of immobilization and even surgical repair is necessary to guarantee joint stability and adequate healing.
How do sprains affect my balance?
Ligaments are rich in nerve receptors responsible for informing the brain in which position the joint is where it is. When this joint-brain communication system is intact, you step on a stone, your ankle bends a little but the brain corrects its position quickly and you continue walking without any problem. You maintained joint stability and your balance.
But when this joint-brain communication is affected, you step on a stone, you twist, and since there was no immediate response from your joint to correct the twist, the ankle continues to bend even more and the injury is a little more severe than when the system reacts in a bad way. righ now. Joint stability and balance failed. Then you start to limp. These episodes of sprains tend to recur and the ligaments gradually stretch, losing their normal tension and their ability to stabilize the joint where they are. Ligaments are not contractile tissue like muscles and tendons. Once they are elongated like this they remain.
This rock hike into fast moving water put my ankles to the test!
The Narrows, Zion, Utah.
Should I do physical therapy if I have a sprain? When should I start it?
The answer is a strong and resounding: yes. Otherwise the twists will become repetitive.
When you suffer from grade I and II sprains, it is advisable to do physical therapy while the ligament heals, that is, from the first week after the injury. The reason is that controlled movement and balance training favor the alignment of the ligament fibers in the direction of the tensile forces to which the ligament will have to respond later, that is, it optimizes the quality of healing of the injured tissue. and improve its functionality, so your recovery will be faster and optimal. Your physical therapist will know exactly what to do in each phase of your rehabilitation and will guide you.
If you have suffered a grade III sprain or have had surgical repair, you will be in an immobilization boot and you will have to wait a bit to start physiotherapy. The time to start physical therapy will be decided by your orthopedic doctor. But equally, it is crucial that you perform physical therapy so that you do not injure yourself again.
I want you to know that you will save yourself a lot of suffering and disability by rehabilitating your ankles and when you do, you will be so happy and functional that you will ask yourself, how did I wait so long to treat this problem?