Ankle Ligament Nerve Damage

[Matt]

Hi folks new here just a couple of questions about nerve damage.

I'll give you the full story.

Around 18 months ago I went over on my ankle playing football which left me unable to walk for a few days, I then we through around 3 months of ultrasound/physio. I then started playing again but it was never right and had a bad tackle on the same ankle leaving me back at square one.

I then decided to go down to London to The Foot and Ankle Clinic, the specialist there thought I had a chronic tear of my ATFL and recommended I get an MRI. So I've had an Xray and an MRI scan which showed no structural damage but nerve damage and they said I've got to go through some specialist physiotherapy exercises.

I'm going on holiday next week so I wont be able to see my physio for a while, I was wondering if theirs any particular exercises I could do while I am away? The doctor said it could take up to 12 months to heal so obviously I would like to start straight away.

Thanks

[Canuck Physio]

Originally Posted by Matt

Hi folks new here just a couple of questions about nerve damage.

I'll give you the full story.

Around 18 months ago I went over on my ankle playing football which left me unable to walk for a few days, I then we through around 3 months of ultrasound/physio. I then started playing again but it was never right and had a bad tackle on the same ankle leaving me back at square one.
This is what I find to be a common problem, return to sport without appropriate sport specific physical assessment. Your ankle after injury is probably less than 67% if it is a grade I strain, less than 50% or 33% if it is grade II, and 0 if a complete tear. So it makes sense to rehab to about 110% , and get assessment before returning to match or sports specific fitness.
I then decided to go down to London to The Foot and Ankle Clinic, the specialist there thought I had a chronic tear of my ATFL and recommended I get an MRI. So I've had an Xray and an MRI scan which showed no structural damage but nerve damage and they said I've got to go through some specialist physiotherapy exercises.
Nerves are kind of annoying, but physio can stop nerve irritation. Either through soft tissue manipulation, re-training of biomechanics, or strengthening, strengthening or even US, or Acupuncture. The only thing that will help nerves come along is a combination of graded activity, and especially pain management.
I'm going on holiday next week so I wont be able to see my physio for a while, I was wondering if theirs any particular exercises I could do while I am away?
What I would do is just keep it safe, and manage the pain on the trip. If you can see a physio try to learn a manual taping or wrapping technique. If not keep an ice pack or more close by.
The doctor said it could take up to 12 months to heal so obviously I would like to start straight away.
It should be a lot quicker than that. But the key thing is to enhance blood flow to the lower limb. You may want to keep the leg elevated whenever you are resting.
Thanks

As above regards

[Matt]

Thanks.

I don't actually get any real pain in the ankle unless I'm running or maybe walking for a long time.

[linbin]

hi friend ,
i would suggest you to try out some simple tests and let me know the results.i mean is it possible for you to do and let anyone observe whether you are swaying especially when eyes closed

stand with your feets together with eyes open
stand with your feets together with eyes closed
stand on the problematic leg with the other foot off the floor with eyes open
stand on the problematic leg with the other foot off the floor with eyes closed

[Matt]

Originally Posted by linbin

hi friend ,
i would suggest you to try out some simple tests and let me know the results.i mean is it possible for you to do and let anyone observe whether you are swaying especially when eyes closed

stand with your feets together with eyes open
stand with your feets together with eyes closed
stand on the problematic leg with the other foot off the floor with eyes open
stand on the problematic leg with the other foot off the floor with eyes closed

Hi sorry for late reply.

stand with your feets together with eyes open
Not swaying
stand with your feets together with eyes closed
Not swaying
stand on the problematic leg with the other foot off the floor with eyes open
Swaying a little
stand on the problematic leg with the other foot off the floor with eyes closed
Swaying a lot

[linbin]

hi
that shows your ankle proprioceptive system is affected.so the motor control of the ankle might not be as good as your other leg.
so try doing some proprioceptive exercise and peronei strengthening