Why an Improperly Healed Ankle Sprain Can Affect Your Entire Body

How much other joints pay when you limp
Ankle sprains are frequent. Most people just relax for a while and go back to normal. The problem is when the ligament doesn’t heal properly or when you miss the rehabilitation.

People unconsciously alter their gait to avoid pain. They may put less weight on one foot, roll to the outside of the foot or take shorter strides. 

And that changed movement becomes a habit over time. And that's where bigger problems begin.

The strain on knees, hips, and back
Your ankle is the base of your movement. “Your body compensates elsewhere when it’s unstable or stiff.

“Poor ankle stability can throw off alignment, and doctors say that can lead to the following:
- Knee pain due to uneven pressure
- Hip pain as your muscles work harder to keep you balanced  
- Low back pain due to altered posture and gait

It also heightens the risk of tripping, falling and spraining the same ankle again.

“People think the pain has moved,” said one physiotherapist. “But often it’s the original ankle problem that is causing the stress up the chain.”

Rehab is more important than just rest
Healing is more than just waiting for swelling to go down. Here’s what physicians recommend as a comprehensive recovery plan:

1. Rest and ice the first few days
2. Building up strength to recover muscles around the ankle
3. Balance and proprioception training to increase stability 
4. Stretching to get back flexibility

Going back to sports too soon, running or long days on your feet can slow the healing process and increase your risk of another sprain.

Don’t neglect persistent pain
Experts say if you still have pain, swelling or a feeling that the ankle is “giving way” after a few weeks, it’s time to get it checked. 

Initial physiotherapy can aid the re-establishment of normal movement patterns and avoid long-term complications. Sometimes a brace or certain exercises can make all the difference.”

A sprained ankle might not seem like a big deal. But if you take care of it properly now, you can save your knees, hips and back a lot of trouble later.