“Is physical therapy good after a broken ankle?”
I broke my ankle and wear a cast. Is physical therapy good after a broken ankle?
10 Answers
If you are in a cast and you lose range of motion, Physical Therapy is a great idea. For generalized weakness and proprioception (ability to tell where the foot is in space relative tot he ground and the knee) you can find a lot of information on line on how to SLOWLY proceed.
In a (or any) fracture, there are always two injuries: fracture and soft tissue (muscle, fascia) injury. The fracture will heal in a given time after fixation and cast, but soft tissue injury will actually be worsened, developing contractures while resting in a cast with no chance of movement. Once the fracture is healed, pain comes only from the injured tissue, no longer from the fracture. Treatment is then focused on relief of pain and restoration of contracted tissue. This cannot be accomplished by any external means, such as medication, massage, electrotherapy, manipulation, stretching or strengthening, etc. In fact, stretching/strengthening is counterproductive and harmful to the injured tissues and will only worsen the injury, against human physiology. Therefore, none of what physical therapy can offer is a good choice of treatment. The best (and the only effective) treatment is done internally by the body itself for self-healing initiated via light touch, i.e. Touch-and-Hold Method.
Yes, after the doctor sets it and or surgically repairs it and the cast is removed or the splint is removed the myofascial muscular skeletal systems need to be revived, stretched and made stronger. So walking without a limp can be achieved.
Oh darn! I am sorry to hear about your ankle!
YES! absolutely! Physical therapy can help you transition from the boot to a normal shoe smoothly. Then we can help with any stiffness, muscle soreness, and strength deficits caused from the break. You NEED to have good movement, strength and power to return to all of your normal activities after this kind of injury!
YES! absolutely! Physical therapy can help you transition from the boot to a normal shoe smoothly. Then we can help with any stiffness, muscle soreness, and strength deficits caused from the break. You NEED to have good movement, strength and power to return to all of your normal activities after this kind of injury!
Physical therapy and a graduated rehabilitative exercise program is highly recommended to avoid long term complications.
Yes, it’s good if you have muscle atrophy stiff joint and muscle weakness.
Yes, physical therapy an important part of the postoperative rehabilitation for patient who underwent ankle fixation surgeries to restore the ankle range of motion, train the muscles for activity again and restore normal gait.
PT is great for a broken ankle and after longer periods of immobilization. Therapy can decrease pain, swelling and help to increase range of motion and mobility
Physical therapy can help the muscles recover and reduce swelling. I recommend you discuss with your foot and ankle surgeon (podiatrist) for timing to begin the physical therapy
Usually
