Ankle Rehabilitation Basics

I. Weight-bearing time after ankle injury or surgery depends on the type of injury, surgical procedure, fracture site, fixation technique, and the effect of scab healing. Non-weight-bearing area of small bone and cartilage injury: two weeks weight-bearing 0, three to four weeks weight-bearing 25% -50% four to six weeks weight-bearing 75% six to eight weeks weight-bearing 100%. Weight-bearing area of bone and cartilage injuries delayed weight-bearing time of two to four weeks. Second, the rehabilitation method 1, ankle pump: ankle pump this name sounds a little strange, because it is directly translated from the English name. Ankle pump, is the English name of this exercise. Ankle, is the ankle, ankle joint, the proverbial ankle; pump, is the meaning of the pump. Taking such a name is due to the role of this exercise. Simply put, it is through the movement of the ankle joint, play a role like a pump, promote blood circulation in the lower extremities and lymphatic return. Such a role is crucial for functional recovery after surgery! In addition to the injury itself, surgery can cause irritation to the surrounding tissues and may require incisions, perforations, repositioning, fixation, sutures, etc., etc., as well as the use of plates and screws for internal fixation. In short the limb will swell after surgery due to impaired circulation caused by these traumatic stimuli (anyone who has had surgery will know that this occurs). In order to improve the circulation and help reduce the swelling of the lower limb, and at the same time to be able to move the muscles of the lower leg and try to avoid muscle atrophy, it is necessary to carry out the “ankle pump” exercise mentioned earlier. This exercise looks very simple, that is, active flexion and extension of the ankle joint. That is, lie down or sit on the bed without moving, thighs relaxed, and then slowly, but forcefully, in no pain or only a slight pain in the limit, as far as possible, the maximum angle of the hook toes (upward hook foot, so that the toes toward themselves) and then step down (so that the toes down), pay attention to the maximum position in the maintenance of 10 seconds, the purpose is to let the muscle can be sustained contraction. Flex the ankle in this way repeatedly, ideally for 5 minutes every hour. As we flex and extend the ankle, the muscles of the lower leg contract and relax. In plantarflexion (stepping down on the toes) the calf triceps contract to shorten and the tibialis anterior muscle relaxes to lengthen; in dorsiflexion (hooking the toes upward) the tibialis anterior muscle contracts to shorten and the calf triceps relaxes to lengthen. These two groups of corresponding muscles in the contraction is like a pump to squeeze the blood and lymphatic fluid back, relaxation of fresh blood will flow back in. In this way, the whole leg does not have to move, just flexing and stretching the ankle can promote the circulation of the whole lower limb. Forefoot inversion exercise: sitting position foot followed by the ground inversion – back to the original position 2, forefoot inversion exercise: sitting position foot followed by the ground inversion – back to the original position – inversion 3, ankle mobility training: 1) sitting position knee flexion, the sole of the foot flat on the ground – lift the toes – the sole of the foot flat on the ground 2) sitting position knee flexion, the sole of the foot flat on the ground —3) supine position, N cord muscle contraction combined with ankle joint movement 4) prone position, foot stirrups/reverse sliding board, 5) ankle pedals (step on the wall): sitting position: training ankle dorsiflexion mobility. No pain is required. Load should be less than 1/4 of the body weight Standing position: foot standing in the ankle pedal (450 angle), 5 minutes; gradually increase the angle and time/week. 4, equipment training: the application of vertical treadmill (seated pedal pedal) calf muscle strength exercises cycling or recumbent cycling (joint mobility > 15 degrees), joint mobility training 5, ankle joint auxiliary passive distraction maneuver (joint mobility is limited but confirmed non-bone block) Third, sports training 4 weeks after surgery to start bicycle training. After 8 weeks of operation, walking up and down the stairs, 12 weeks of walking uphill, squatting training – ankle treadmill.