Ankle Sprain Prevention & Treatments in Ottawa

The seven most common sports injuries in Ottawa are:

  • Ankle sprain.
  • Groin pull.
  • Hamstring strain.
  • Back strain.
  • Shin splints.
  • Knee injury: ACL, MCL, or Meniscus tear
  • Knee injury: Patellofemoral syndrome — injury resulting from the repetitive movement of your kneecap against your thigh bone.
  • Tennis elbow (lateral epicondylitis)
  • Shoulder injury: rotator cuff impingement – injury resulting from the repetitive rubbing of the tendons in overhead or throwing movement


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Ankle Sprain Prevention & Treatments in Ottawa

An ankle sprain is a painful and potentially disabling injury. It occurs when the ligaments holding the ankle are injured and stretched when the joint is forced into an abnormal or dangerous position. If there is minimal/slight swelling, it is called a grade 1 sprain. If there are discoloration, significant swelling and pain around the ankle, and you are unable to put pressure on it, then it can be a grade 2 or 3 sprains, and might require an X-Ray to rule out any fracture.

Ankle Sprains in Children

A sprain usually occurs in children. More often, however, a toddler will experience an ankle sprain and not fully know why the injury occurred. As children get older, many accidents can cause them to trip over something or fall over, causing an ankle sprain.

Ankle Sprains From Sports

Ankle sprains are more prevalent among soccer players and basketball players due to the various awkward positions they may land or find themselves in when playing the sport. This is not only true for young athletes, but it is also true for those who casually indulge in any sport.

Ankle sprains from sports injuries are more common among men. The reason for this is because men are more prone to overuse injuries as compared to women.

Athletes who engage in physical activity are more likely to be in a position that makes it difficult for them to move around. If there is a lower back injury or other problems that cause a person to fall down, he is also more likely to injure his ankle as a result of this. The pain can range from minor to life-threatening. With the help of right treatment it’s possible to recover without any surgery. Young athletes suffering ankle sprains from sport injuries, don’t hesitate to visit a physiotherapist immediately after having an injury.

Ankle sprains from sports injuries can be avoided by making sure that you do not engage in physical activity on uneven or unstable ground, that you are using appropriate footwear for the activity, have proper supportive custom orthotics, and that you have been cleared by a health practitioner after rehabbing from a previous injury.  Having a good foot position, with your toes pointed forward, and maintaining stable posture when participating in your sport is a good place to start. After multiple injuries, you may find that this is harder than it looks, so a. the strong, supportive brace can also be used to support the joint as it heals. You can discuss your options and needs with a qualified health practitioner like a physiotherapist, chiropractor, or sports medicine doctor who specializes in these injuries before attempting to use them.

Another important thing to remember is that ankle sprains from sports injuries should be treated immediately. Do not wait for symptoms to appear. As soon as you are injured, ice your ankle and make an appointment to see your physio or to make them aware of the details of your injury. The sooner the injury is treated, the quicker it will heal and the extent of the damage reduced, even though the pain may persist after you have been treated.

Can Physiotherapy Be Helpful?

If you are a person who experiences frequent ankle sprains or has experienced knee, hip, or back pain after your ankle sprain, you should get an ankle physiotherapy appointment today. This appointment will give you an opportunity to be examined by an experienced practitioner who will examine your ankle and entire lower kinetic chain for any type of pathology. If there is any indication that you might have another form of injury to your ankle, such as a fracture, then the specialist will do some further examination in order to see if that is indeed the case. 

The Physiotherapist will assess how well your ankle joint can move, how much your balance and control have degraded due to the injury, and if there has been any damage to your ligaments, muscles, joint capsules, or nerves. The Physiotherapist will also show you how to protect, ice, wrap, strengthen, and aid your ankle so that it will heal as quickly as possible so you can return to playing sport.  Physiotherapy in Ottawa is a very helpful and necessary thing to do if you want to prevent another ankle sprain. The more you get out of your treatment, the greater the chance that you will stay healthy and you will continue to move freely and with ease.


Physio Treatments

During physiotherapy, you will get to learn the many things you can do to improve your quality of life. You’ll be given a regimen of exercises, stretches and balancing exercises that are recommended. With these activities, you will start feeling healthier and this will help to relieve the pressure on your ankle.

Sports Physiotherapy in Ottawa will also help to repair the tissues and tendons in your ankle. This will allow for your ankle to function correctly and you will prevent knee pain from occurring. This is because Physiotherapy also focuses on the stress you put on your ankles and how your body channels the energy. It will help you learn how to increase the strength of your muscles in your ankle, as well as improve the flexibility of your ankle and reduce the tension in your calves. It will also help you to learn the proper techniques you need to use when you are running, balancing, participating in sport, or doing any day to day activity with your friends or family

The exercises that physiotherapy practitioners will use are designed to help you do your normal activities again. You may need physiotherapy treatment for 2-8 weeks depending on the extent of the injury before you feel fully recovered.

Additional Tips for Ankle Sprains

Another tip is to consciously try to walk by landing on your heel and stepping off with your toe, rather than hobbling or limping around. This way you’ll maintain proper walking biomechanics and you won’t subconsciously keep walking in a weird way after you have healed.
Your physiotherapist will make sure that you wear good supportive shoes when doing activities like running, jumping, or using your feet for long periods of time. This type of shoe can give you the support you need when you’re going through an injury. Orthotic braces can also be used to increase the support for your ankles. They are worn by people who have problems with their arches or foot alignment. Your physiotherapist can scan you for custom orthotics and will advise you of the best way to go about fitting them.