Ankle Surgery Physiotherapy in Delhi.
Surgical treatment of ankle fractures allows patients to regain ankle function while the bones and joint heal. Immediately after surgery, your ankle will be immobilized for a few weeks. Once the wounds are healed, you will be fitted for either a cast or a boot.
Once the broken bones start to heal, you can put weight on the ankle. You can return to normal activities once the bones are fully healed.
Patients may need physiotherapy for their ankle to regain full movement and strength. While everyone is different, it can take up to a year after surgery for some patients to regain full ankle function.
PHYSIOTHERAPY THERAPY TO REDUCE SWELLING
Most ankle surgery patients will experience a fair amount of swelling which impedes ankle flexibility and range of motion. Your therapist will be diligent in instructing about icing during your therapy, particularly after exercise. It’s likely that your ankle will need icing for up to four months after your surgery.
IMPROVING FLEXIBILITY
To improve your flexibility, your physical therapist may use exercises such as active movement and stretching. Simple movements such as rotating the ankle and flexing it in all directions can also help. These exercises help restore ankle range of motion. Stretching of the muscles of the back of the lower leg may be done while sitting or while standing if weight bearing is allowed.
STRENGTHENING & STABILIZING THE ANKLE
These exercises should never be overdone. Your physical therapist will help you find the correct balance between not doing enough and going overboard. Strengthening and stabilizing your ankle after surgery is a top priority but must be achieved gradually.
Your therapy will include exercises for the muscles around the ankle, the rest of the operative leg, the trunk, non-operative leg and arms. The first phase of your strength-building will start with non-weight bearing exercises followed by resistance exercises. Resistance may be in the form of elastic bands or tubing.
If weight bearing is limited, seated exercises may be performed using a rocker board or a balance board under the foot on the operative side. Strengthening exercises may then progress to weight bearing exercises.
Besides building flexibility, range of motion and strength, your rehabilitation after ankle surgery will also focus on balance, endurance and functional activities such as climbing the stairs. Your therapy will include posture training and exercises to make sure your hips and knees don’t weaken while you are keeping weight off your ankle.
