Instruction by: Richard Sandor, M.D., Camino Medical Group, Orthopedics Scott Brone, P.T., C.S.C.S., Physical Therapy
These exercises are designed for rehabilitation of ankle sprains. They should be used under the guidance of a physician or health care professional. Exercises are to be performed in a step-wise fashion. DO NOT move on to the next step until all exercises can be com pleted in the previous step with little pain. Walking is permitted within the limits of pain. Recovery following an ankle sprain is highly variable. Sometimes patients can progress from injury to completion of all exercises in as little as a week, while others may take six weeks or longer. If you have any significant difficulty with these exercises, contact your health care professional. STEP 1 STEP 2 STEP 3 STEP 4 STEP 5 STEP 6 STEP 7 Exercises 1 and 2 Add exercises 3 through 5 Change from doing exercise 5 to exercise 6 Continue exercises 2 and 6; add exercises 7 and 8 Add exercises 9 and 10 Continue exercises 6 and 8; add 11 and 12 Once you have progressed to step 6 and can do these exercises comfortably, you may progress to a light jog on a treadmill or level ground for 10 to 20 minutes.
If you have no improvement after one week, contact your physician.
This patient handout was produced by the Camino Medical Group Department of Orthopedics for the purpose of better assisting our patients with their recovery. It is important that you follow the directions your physician has prescribed in order to benefit from the rehabilitation process.
THE ALPHABETS
Exercise 1
1. While seated with the edge of the heel on the floor, draw the entire alphabet one letter at a time by moving the injured ankle and using the great toe as the “pen”. Do two sets of (A-Z), two to three times a day.
WINDSHIELD WIPER
Exercise 2
1. 2. Sit with the foot flat on the floor and facing straight ahead. Rotate the affected foot to mimic a windshield wiper blade: Pivot the