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If you’ve struggled with an injury or need to recover post-surgery, using ankle equipment for an exercise conditioning program can help. Correct rehabilitation supports the patient’s return to normal activities and an active, healthy lifestyle–such as sports and recreational activities–without the added stress of recovery setbacks.
This article will highlight the key benefits of using ankle equipment to rehabilitate patients with pain, injury, or mobility problems and how ankle strengthening can help you meet your goals.
According to this report by MDPI, the ankle is an exceptional human joint with unique features that allow people to perform physical motions such as running, jumping, walking, or running. Often we forget how amazing the human body is!
However, the ankle joint is prone to many injuries (sports or domestic-related incidents), such as ankle fractures, strains, and sprains.
If an ankle injury has not completely recovered, it has a higher chance of reoccurring. Proper rehabilitation is critical, and ankle equipment has several benefits for both health professionals and patients.
A general conditioning program has a wide range of ankle exercises for patients; however, it must be performed under your doctor’s or physical therapist’s supervision to ensure that it is safe and effective for you. What does this program involve?
When you strengthen the muscles that support your lower leg, foot, or ankle, they can improve and help keep your ankle joint stable.
Reducing pressure on the ankle joint and keeping these muscles strong can relieve foot or ankle pain, prevent further injury, and promote lower limb health!
Stretching the muscles you strengthen helps restore range of motion and prevent further injury.
Gently stretching and strengthening exercises can reduce muscle soreness, aiding in joint mobility and overall muscle health.
Strengthening exercises with ankle equipment can support bone density and reduce the risk of degenerative diseases such as osteoarthritis.
Patients can improve their balance with stronger ankle muscles, which is critical to many sports and exercises. Better balance will reduce the risk of falls or further injury.
This conditioning program targets muscle groups of the lower leg, such as tendons or ligaments, that control foot movement. These muscles can include the calf, shin, centre of the calf, outside of the lower calf, and bottom of the foot.
Continue an ankle conditioning program for 4 to 6 weeks unless your doctor or treating professional, such as a physical therapist, suggests otherwise. After you recover, exercises can be continued as a maintenance program to support the lifelong health of your feet and lower legs.
What kind of essential equipment can you order from Access Health? Whether you’re recovering from a minor ankle sprain or require more serious rehabilitation, we are a trusted supplier of patient health and care.
TheraPacks are cotton hot and cold packs, that are filled with lupin grains used for natural and effective pain management and good health.
Designed to mould to different parts of the body, TheraPack has a breathable fabric, is odour-free, isn’t prone to weevils, is hand washable, has velcro attachments for mobility, and is overall a simple design for pain relief.
For hot pack application, heat in the microwave or oven as per instructions, or store the pack in the freezer for a cold pack application.
Are you looking for a solution for your patient rehabilitation process? With an anatomical cuff design, the Aircast is designed for complete coverage of the affected area. The compression is measured for patient comfort, and this controlled cold eliminates the risk of tissue damage.
It is ideal for use post-operation, and the Aircast Cryo-Cuff Cooler or IC Cooler unit must be purchased separately.
Lightweight and collapsible, the Mirror Box has two openings on the small and three openings on the larger version, allowing for easy foot and arm access from the opposite end for third-party support.
Mirror boxes are useful for conditions such as phantom limb pain, Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS), stroke rehabilitation, and rehab after injury or surgery.
Let’s look at some of the exercises patients can do (depending on theirphysical therapist) and how they can help improve your health in the long term.
This exercise helps stretch the muscles in the legs and ankles. Patients stand on a slightly raised platform (such as medical steps), keeping the balls of their feet on the surface and allowing their heels to hang off the back.
The patient pulls upwards with their toes, letting their heels fall back down. This stretch can be repeated several times.
To stretch the muscles in the feet and ankles, patients sit with both feet flat on the ground and place a towel under one foot.
Patients should curl their toes to grip the towel, lift it from the ground, hold it for a few seconds, and repeat the exercise with the opposite foot.
Stretching the muscles in the lower legs and ankles, this exercise is performed by patients sitting with both legs straight out front. A towel is wrapped about the top of the foot, with the towel held at the other end.
Patients should gently pull the towel so the toes angle back towards the body, holding this position for 30 seconds and then releasing it for 30 seconds. Repeat this stretch three times and switch to the opposite side.
This exercise is felt at the bottom of the patient’s feet; all that is needed is a tennis ball or frozen water bottle.
The patient should sit on a stable chair with both feet planted on the floor, rolling the golf ball under the arch of the affected foot for 2 minutes. This should be repeated once daily.
Whether you require simple equipment or more complex, Access Health understands the importance of quality patient care, especially with ankle rehabilitation.
Established in 1978, Access Health is known for being a reliable distributor of the Plinth 2000, Airex, EquaGel, Rep Band Exercise Bands, Royce Medical Supports, and 3PP Medical Supports. Our major supplier is certified by the International Quality Standard (ISO 9001).
From Daily Living and Mobility to Practice Supplies or Pressure Care and Comfort, we have a range of products to help you progress in your rehabilitation journey.
We pride ourselves on going that little bit extra to locate the product you need if we don’t have it in stock. Contact us today, and we can help you with your order.
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