Inversion ankle sprains are one of the most common orthopedic conditions and can lead to long-term impairments including ongoing pain, stiffness and gait abnormalities in as many as 72% of individuals. Furthermore, nearly 80% of those individuals who suffer a sprain are likely to experience re-injury.
A number of studies have demonstrated the positive effects of exercise for treating ankle sprains, but researchers have questioned how the addition of manual therapy might influence outcomes.
In 2013, Cleland and colleagues demonstrated that those put in a manual therapy (joint mobilizations) plus exercise group did better in terms of pain and function than those in an exercise-only group at 4 weeks and 6 months.
There is a lot of hate out there right now for manual therapy, and while I realize exercise has the best evidence, ankle sprains may be one issue where seeing a physio for a combination of skilled manual care and exercise guidance would be wise.
References:
1. Robroy M, et al. Ankle Stability and Movement Coordination Impairments: Ankle Ligament Sprains. Clinical Practice Guidelines Linked to the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health From the Orthopaedic Section of the American Physical Therapy Association. 2013.
2. Cleland JA, et al. Manual physical therapy and exercise versus supervised home exercise in the management of patients with inversion ankle sprain: A multicenter randomized clinical trial. J Orthop Sports Phys Ther. 2013.
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