Exercise rehabilitation plays a pivotal role in the recovery process following an injury or surgery. The exercises are not only designed for regaining physical strength, but also to restore functional abilities, enhance flexibility, and improve overall quality of life. By engaging in excises tailored to individual needs, patients can expedite their healing process and reduce the risk of re-injury.
Exercise rehabilitation is grounded in evidence-based practice that focuses on slow and gradual improvement. The body requires time to heal, and appropriate exercises help facilitate this healing by promoting circulation, reducing stiffness, and preventing muscle atrophy.
Additionally, the psychological benefits of exercise rehabilitation are important. Recovering from injuries or surgeries can have an emotional toll. Engaging in physical activity has been shown to enhance mood, reduce anxiety, give hope and improve self-esteem.
Various injuries necessitate exercise rehabilitation, ranging from acute traumas to chronic conditions. One of the most common are sprained ankles. A sprained ankle can lead to pain, swelling, and instability, making it essential to engage in rehabilitation exercises that promote mobility, improve strength in the affected area and prevent future injuries.
Another prevalent injury requiring rehabilitation is a torn ligament, such as an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tear in the knee. Rehabilitation for an ACL injury typically involves a combination of strength training, flexibility exercises, and balance work. A well-structured program is crucial for ensuring a safe return to sports, daily activities and minimise the risk of re-injury.
A sprained ankle’s swelling generally settles down after a few weeks.
Everyone will recover at a different rate. Most ankle sprains recover almost completely within six to eight weeks.
You can return to driving immediately if you have an automatic car and your left ankle is sprained.
If your right ankle is sprained and you have an automatic car, approximately six weeks, provided your right leg has enough strength to perform an emergency stop.
If you drive a manual car and either ankle is injured, you may need to wait six weeks after injury, and ensure that your right leg has enough strength to perform an emergency stop.
The amount of time you will need off work will vary depending on your injury and type of work. As a general guide:
This will vary depending on the individual and the sport. It is recommended that you see one of our podiatrists at Healthy Sole Podiatry for a guided return to sport program.
After an ACL reconstruction, you will most likely be discharged from the hospital immediately and will be encouraged to begin bending and straightening the knee straight away. You should be able to walk on the operated leg but will need crutches for one to two weeks.
It is very important that you do the exercises daily that have been assigned to you. The rehabilitation after an ACL reconstruction occurs over a long time. The length of time for recovery depends on the seriousness or grade of tear, and how well you commit to doing the rehabilitation exercises.
It depends which knee you have had done and what type of car you drive. If you have an automatic car and you had your left leg operated on, then you can return to driving fairly quickly. Make sure you are off all painkillers that could cause you to be drowsy and also ensure you can easily get in and out of the car because you don’t want to put strain on the injury.
If you have a manual car and your left knee operated on, you need to make sure your knee is strong enough to use the pedals before driving.
If your right knee was operated on, you may need longer before you can return to driving either a manual or automatic. Generally one to two weeks. This is because your knee needs to be strong enough and move well enough, to not only quickly change pedals, but also incase you need to push hard on the brake in an emergency.
This also depends on the type of work. Desk-based jobs require less time off – two to four weeks. Conversely, if your job involves heavy manual labour, you may need two to three months of leave.
It will take three to four months before you can cycle or jog and nine to eighteen months to return to sport, running and more strenuous activities.
Make an appointment to see one of our experienced podiatrists for a return to sport program.
So, are you ready to step into comfort and health? Let Healthy Sole Podiatry in Launceston be your guide to better foot health. From orthotics and general podiatry to specialised diabetic care and children’s podiatry, we support every step you take.
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