Ankle sprains are often overlooked as minor injuries and are frequently left unreported when we first see a client at Pacific Northwest Pilates. Nevertheless an estimated 28,000 ankle sprains occur in the United States every day, and the side effects of ankles sprains can influence how you move for many years—even after they heal.
Did you know?
1. Sprains live in the body until they are gone. Bio-mechanical faults and compensations do not necessarily go away with time.
2. Sprains frequently result in fibular (one of the bones of the lower leg) and cuboid (a bone in the foot) displacement. This displacement can alter how forces are transmitted throughout the body impacting all your joints including your hips, back , neck and shoulders!
3. Ankle sprains are frequently associated with ipsilateral (same side) dysfunction of multifidus—a deep spinal muscle that helps stabilize your spine and pelvis!
4. Sprains alter proprioception. This means you lose the ability to quickly and unconsciously perceive movement well and orient yourself in space. Poor proprioception can lead to future ankle sprains, falls or other injuries.
So what’s the solution? Recognize that ankle sprains, even minor ones, are a serious injury that need to be healed and rehabilitated appropriately. If you’ve had an ankle sprain, tell your Pilates teacher so he or she takes this into a account when they program a workout for you.
