About 25,000 people people sprain their ankle every day, and sports are involved in most of these incidents. Ankle sprains represent the most common injury in athletic activities, as they account for a whopping 45% of all sports–related injuries. But this risk varies widely between sports, with football, basketball, and soccer being associated with the highest rates of ankle sprains due to the high speeds and frequent changes in direction involved. In football, for example, ankle sprains occur at a rate of 1/1000 hours, meaning that one ankle sprain occurs for every 1,000 hours of participation.

What is a Lateral Ankle Sprain?

Depending on its location in the ankle, a sprain can be further categorized as either lateral, medial, or high. Lateral ankle sprains take place on the outside part of the ankle, which is the most common site for a sprain (about 80% of all sprains). High ankle sprains are less common (up to 15% of sprains) and are often seen in football, downhill skiing, and other field sports, while medial sprains are the least common (about 6%). A lateral ankle sprain occurs when the foot rolls inward, causing the ligaments on the outside of the ankle to stretch or tear. This type of injury is common in sports that involve running, jumping, or quick changes in direction, such as basketball, tennis, and soccer. Without proper treatment, a lateral ankle sprain can lead to chronic ankle instability, which increases the risk for re–injuring the ankle in the future.

But with so many treatment options available, it can be challenging for patients to determine the best course of action to ensure a safe and speedy recovery from an ankle sprain. A recent study shows that combining manual therapy with therapeutic exercise is an effective approach for improving outcomes in patients who sprained their ankle.

The Benefits of Manual Therapy

Manual therapy is a hands–on approach that physical therapists frequently use to improve joint function, reduce pain, and restore range of motion. It typically includes techniques like soft–tissue mobilization and joint manipulation, which physical therapists apply to the injured or painful area. Manual therapy is known to improve clinical outcomes for patients with ankle sprains, but it is unclear how much of additional benefit it provides to a targeted therapeutic exercise program.

Therefore, a study called a systematic review and meta–analysis was conducted in which researchers analyzed data from three clinical trials involving 180 patients with a lateral ankle sprain. The goal of the study was to determine if combining manual therapy and therapeutic exercise was more effective than therapeutic exercise alone for patients recovering from a lateral ankle sprain. The results were as follows:

• Increased range of motion: patients who received manual therapy plus therapeutic exercise saw significant improvements in their ability to bend the ankle forward and backwards compared to those who only completed therapeutic exercises


• Pain reduction: combining manual therapy with therapeutic exercises resulted in significantly less pain than exercise alone in both the short term and long term


• Improved function: those who participated in the manual therapy plus therapeutic exercise program experienced better ankle stability and function during and after treatment than the exercise–alone group

Why This Matters for You

These results suggest that manual therapy can enhance the benefits of therapeutic exercise, meaning this combination can provide a more effective solution for lateral ankle sprain recovery. Therefore, if you've experienced a lateral ankle sprain, it's in your best interest to see a physical therapist, who will integrate manual therapy into your rehabilitation plan. Doing so is likely to help you experience faster pain relief, improved mobility, and a stronger, more stable ankle, as well as a reduced risk for another ankle sprain.

Schedule an Appointment Today!

If you're dealing with an ankle sprain or chronic ankle pain, our team of physical therapists is here to help. Contact us today to learn more about our treatment approach for lateral ankle sprains or to schedule an appointment.

For more details on the study featured in this blog, click here.