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MIDDLE STAGES OF REHABILITATION

Single Leg Balance

The patient will stand on one leg, near a wall or table. The patient is allowed to use the table or wall to assist in balancing, and the clinician should stand behind the patient to prevent falls. The patient will stand on her injured foot and remain steady. As the exercise becomes easier, the clinician can have her close her eyes, have her stand on a Therapad, or throw a ball to her as she stands. 

  • Three sets of thirty seconds each. 

Four-Way Ankle with Resistance

The patient will sit long seated on a table with towel under her ankle and her foot off the table. Starting with the lightest resistance band, she, with help from the clinician, will perform all ankle ranges of motion against band resistance. Band resistance can be increased as the exercise becomes easier.

  • Three sets, ten repetitions in each direction (inversion, eversion, plantar flexion, dorsiflexion)

During this middle stage of rehabilitation, the body is going through the fibroblastic repair stage. The body is slowly repairing itself. This phase can start anywhere between three and fourteen days post-injury and can last for two to three weeks (Prentice 2011). During this phase, the clinician should be focusing on strengthening the ankle and its surrounding structures. Modalities should be continued to manage pain and swelling. 

Goals of Rehabilitation at the Fibroblastic Repair Stage (3/14 days-2/3 weeks)

1. Pain-free joints and muscles

2. Muscular Strength and Endurance

3. Flexibility

4. Cardiovascular Fitness (Maintain)

http://www.sparkpeople.com/resource/exercises.asp?exercise=363 

Retrieved on Google Images April 20, 2014

Towel Stretch

Heel Raises

The patient stands next to a treatment table, resting her fingertips on the table for balance. She slowly plantar flexes to stand on her toes (both feet), then dorsiflexes back to the floor. As the patient becomes stronger, the exercise can be progressed by having the patient only do her injured ankle. 

  • Two sets, 20 repetitions

Bosu Ball Lunges

The patient stands with her injured ankle in the center of the bosu ball and her uninjured leg on a solid surface. She goes into a deep lunge, with both knees at ninety degrees. This exercise can be progressed by having the patient step on and off the bosu ball with each lunge, or by deflating the bosu ball. 

  • Three sets, ten repititions

The patient sits longseated on a treatment table. She folds a towel in half and places the ball of her foot in the curve and holds one end in each hand. The patient gently pulls the towel towards her, stretching her arch, achilles tendon, and other plantar flexor muscles. 

  • Thirty second hold, three repetitions. 

www.runbuzz.com, retrieved on Google Images April 20, 2014

www.womensfitness.org, retrieved on Google Images April 20, 2014

Airdyne Bike

To help maintain cardiovascular fitness, the athlete will ride the airdyne bike, emphasizing upper body movements, for at least thirty minutes a day, three times a week.

http://youtu.be/vM4ommLXzIA, Retrieved on April 20, 2014.

www.coreconcepts.com.sg,

retrieved on Google Images April 20, 2014

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