Having suffered a recurrent right ankle sprain over the years, I went to the consultant for an MRI after the latest episode to find I have "a
rupture
of the ATFL with injury to the CFL. There
is also a contusion to the anteromedial aspect of the deltoid ligament and a
small OCL on the lateral talar dome with some mild bone marrow oedema
surrounding it." In layman's terms, I think this translates to a detached lateral ligament and a partially torn medial ligament with some damage to the cartilage. The view was that I would need surgery in due course but, given family duties, may need to wait a while until I could find the time for it given recovery requires immobilisation for a while. The consultant seemed to think I could run a bit, but would need to rein it in. Certainly spring marathon training has been stopped.
I was wondering if anyone had dealt with something similar and was able to keep running? If so, how did you approach it? Research seems to point to people in a similar position heading straight to surgery and I am struggling to find evidence of anyone able to keep going, but this may just be the nature of what you find online (and those who cope fine, are less likely to be writing about it online). Thanks for any insights.
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Comments
Foot mobilisation, and soft tissue work can help foot alignment and proprioceptive feedback from the foot.
Physios should be able to do this as well. Although the techniques may vary.
The NMES is a device which we use a lot in clinic as part of our rehab protocols.
it uses a range of frequencies to make the muscle behave in different ways.
Low frequency programs can reduce tension in tissues, and increase circulation. Higher, can lead to strong muscle contractions and are great for local and focal strengthening. Even better when combined with exercise, to achieve results.
This is called CCMT, Compex combined muscle training.
the Compex can safely stimulate 100 percent muscle fibre recruitment , which exercise cannot do. The body has its own built in safety mechanism that does not allow 100 percent contraction and this prevents injury.
The Compex can recruit all muscle fibre without stressing the joint hence the outcomes are far superior than exercise alone.
You up can read up about this online www.compex.info
and if you are interested, let me know I can get you a good rate.
These kind of ligament problems do respond well generally, but it can take a long time. I would also suggest thinking again about the KT tape, it can be good for stimulating or relaxing muscles (don't ask how it can do two opposite things!) but it will not provide any structural support to the ankle itself. To do this you would need something more rigid (ankle support or zinc oxide tape).
Hope that's some help!