Seeking Advice - Right Medial Malleous Fracture Ankle, Ball and Socket Joint

Quote:

Originally Posted by BW1

Hi,

Just over 12 months ago, I fractured my right medial malleous ankle bone. Had plaster, a boot and a bit of physio and I was walking again. The other day, it just sprained itself out of nothing, just walking around. When I initially had x rays with the fracture, they said I had a rare ball and socket ankle bone and that's why it fractured so easy.

My question is, can you guys recommend any physio exercises for once the sprain subsides in order to hopefully heal it properly / make it stronger to prevent it spraining again like this in the future?

Cheers,
Brian

After injury, depending on the conditions (ie. if there was immobility, reduced mobility, loss of muscle etc) for only 2 weeks, it normally takes over 10 weeks of rehabilitation to regain 90% of the strength/muscle and ROM that was initially available. On top of this, this means that the joint is still weaker than it was when initially injured. For this reason, an intense rehabilitation programme, closely monitored over 12 weeks is necessary to regain initial levels + 10-25% In my opinion. Most people stop rehab when pain is gone thinking they are good and ready, however, a smart physio knows how to induce pain in nooks and cranny's that higher level activities can induce. This includes rapid movements, unstable surfaces, high loads, rapid deceleration amongst other things. UNless you have been assessed as to your current capacity and progressed on a specific rehabilitation programme, you will probably continue to incur repetitive injury and/or remain limited in functional capacity (dependent upon your goals of course).