Ankle Sprain

Rehabilitation following syndesmotic repair

Our team will walk you through your rehabilitation program after surgery. This table is a guide and changes may be required depending on your progress.

Week Exercises Boot Weight bearing Returning to Pre-Surgical Function Other
0-2 Hip and knee active ROM exercises Plaster Non weight bearing Staying home with the foot elevated above heart level for 23 hours a day
2-4 Once wounds are healed, passive DF/PF, EV/IN, abc writing – without boot but NWB and seated. Hip, knee, ankle band resisted exercises. Toe AROM – wriggling, flexing, extending. Calf, shin muscles massage. Gentle ankle AROM DF and PF. CAM Non weight bearing
4-6 Theraband but still seated. Gentle seated ankle heel raises and toe raises, avoid ankle DF and eversion. CAM Weight bear as tolerated in boot Return to work – sedentary occupation.
6-8 Calf and shin massage and stretching. Physio guided PF and DF mobilisations. Start DL heel raises, progressing to SL end of week 8 – limit ankle DF to plantagrade only. ASO brace Weight bear as tolerated in boot
8-10** Physio guided gait and balance training. Continue exercises as above. Weaning off any ankle support as tolerated Weight bear as tolerated Return to light duties – labour intensive occupation
10-12* Return to running with physio guidance May return to full duties (clinical assessment required)
12+ Return to sport/training if criteria has been met (see ‘other’ column) VAS pain score of <5/10 during and after exercise. Resolving joint effusion. DF ROM within 10% of opposite side. Y balance test within 6cm of opposite side. Hop test within 90% of opposite side.

This rehabilitation plan was developed by Mr Goldbloom in conjunction with Physiotherapists Brodie Leonard-Shannon and Brendan Mason from Back in Motion, Aspendale Gardens.

The information provided here is for general educational purposes only. Please contact Mr Goldbloom's rooms to discuss if surgery is appropriate for your situation.