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International Journal of Physical Education, Sports and Health 2022; 9(3): 223-226
P-ISSN: 2394-1685
E-ISSN: 2394-1693
Impact Factor (RJIF): 5.38
IJPESH 2022; 9(3): 223-226
© 2022 IJPESH
www.kheljournal.com
Received: 07-03-2022
Accepted: 10-04-2022
Dr. Deepali Shinde
MPT Student, Musculoskeletal
Physiotherapy, MGM Institute
of Physiotherapy, Aurangabad,
Maharashtra, India
Surendra Wani
Professor and Head of
Musculoskeletal Department,
MGM Institute of
Physiotherapy, Aurangabad,
Maharashtra, India
Sanket Mungikar
Associate Professor, MGM
Institute of Physiotherapy,
Aurangabad, Maharashtra, India
Corresponding Author:
Dr. Deepali Shinde
MPT Student, Musculoskeletal
Physiotherapy, MGM Institute
of Physiotherapy, Aurangabad,
Maharashtra, India
Integrated manual therapy program along with
exercise training for the rehabilitation of lateral ankle
sprain: A case report
Dr. Deepali Shinde, Surendra Wani and Sanket Mungikar
DOI: https://doi.org/10.22271/kheljournal.2022.v9.i3d.2540
Abstract
Lateral ankle sprain is most common injury occurred during sports after forceful inversion. A
comprehensive rehabilitation protocol is needed for faster recovery and avoiding recurrence. A case of
23-year-old male, amateur football player, had an injury to his left ankle. He developed sudden onset of
pain, swelling and was not able to bear weight on his left ankle. Orthopaedic doctor suggested him 6
weeks of immobilization in plaster cast after confirmation of anterior talo-fibular ligament grade III and
Posterior talo-fibular ligament and Deltoid ligament grade I sprain on MRI. After cast removal, he was
referred to physiotherapy. The patient presented with pain, swelling, decrease muscle strength,
kinesiophobia and incomplete ROM of the left ankle joint. A customized physiotherapy protocol was
followed for 12 weeks after immobilization period. Phase wise integrated manual therapy program along
with exercise training showed significant improvement in ankle joint function after lateral ankle sprain.
Keywords: Exercise, lateral ankle sprain, manual therapy, PNE, proprioception
1. Introduction
Ankle sprain is the most common injury occurred during sports participation. Lateral ankle
sprain constitutes more than three-quarters of all acute ankle sprains. Approximately 73% of
these are injuries to the anterior talofibular ligament
[1, 2]
. Sprains of the lateral ligaments of the
ankle are the most common traumatic injury sustained during sports participation due to
forceful inversion of plantarflexed foot
[3]
. Acute overstretching or tearing of the ligaments and
fibrous capsule of the ankle joint causes functional limitations in ambulation, joint mobility,
proprioception, balance etc. Supervised rehabilitation is warranted for complete and speedy
recovery following lateral ankle sprain
[4]
. Therefore, this study intended to design a rehab
protocol including integrated manual therapy and the proprioceptive exercises along with other
traditional exercises following lateral ankle sprain.
2. Case presentation
A 23-year-old male amateur football player. While playing football his left ankle of grounded
foot twisted inwardly and lost his whole balance. He heard a pop sound at the inverted foot. He
developed sudden onset of pain, swelling and was not able to bear weight on the left ankle
joint. He consulted Orthopaedic, that suggested him for 6 weeks of immobilization in plaster
cast after confirmation of Anterior talo-fibular ligament (ATFL) grade III and Posterior talo-
fibular ligament (PTFL) and Deltoid ligament grade I sprain on MRI. During immobilization,
he was advised for partial-weight bearing walking with the help of elbow crutch.
After removal of the cast (6 weeks of period) he was referred to the outpatient physical therapy
department having complaints of pain, swelling, incomplete ROM and difficulty in walking
with full weight bearing on left ankle joint. The patient was assessed accordingly. Customized
physiotherapy protocol including the integrated manual therapy program along with the
exercise training was designed to achieve the goals. On first visit, pain neuroscience education
was given. The physiology of pain and the biopsychosocial model of pain was explained. Pain
physiology education with movement approaches helps to increase physical capacity, reduce
pain and improve quality of life. It helped the patient perception and to cope with the fear of
weight bearing on the left ankle joint. As he was amateur football player and educated about
the condition, helped for the good prognosis.