One of the most frustrating injuries can be a foot or ankle injury. You rely on your feet to help you get from place to place, to help you move throughout the day, to help you function as you normally would. Which is why a foot or ankle area can make it feel like the end of the world. There are a few things that you can expect when recovering from an ankle injury.

Ankle Injury Recovery
Of course we are always going to recommend seeing a healthcare professional in the event of an injury, and if your doctor recommends therapy...come see us! In the meantime, here are some things to keep in mind when it comes to ankle injury recovery. 
Reduce Swelling: Reducing swelling is important when it comes to helping your ankle recover - which means plenty of ice and rest. Ice your ankle in twenty minute increments and keepy your ankle elevated. 
Take It Easy: It can be really easy to push yourself, particularly if you are feeling great within a few days. Always take it easy. Don’t put too much stress on your ankle right away and pay attention to how your body feels, as well as what your doctor says. 
Time: Time is going to be your best friend when it comes to your body healing, and different injuries will require different recovery times. You can anticipate anywhere from a 2-6 week recovery period. However, if you have a more serious injury such as a broken bone, you can expect more than a six week recovery period. But don’t worry, your doctor and physical therapist can provide you with crutches or a wheel chair to help you get around.

Preventing Future Injury
Now that you’ve recovered from your foot/ankle injury, you are going to want to prevent yourself from having to deal with that again. Here are some easy things you can do to help prevent any future injury, and keep your body safe and healthy!
Prepare Your Body: When it comes to working out, light exercise and a warmup is always a good idea. Preparing your body for physical activity is always a good precaution to take. While it won’t completely prevent injury - you should still spend 5-10 minutes warming up. 
Stay Alert: It’s easy to get injured when you trip or roll your ankle - which commonly happens on uneven surfaces. Keep an eye out when working out and when out in public to avoid injury. 
Footwear: Believe it or not, the footwear you choose is extremely important. The wrong shoe can lead to you getting injured, and won’t adequately provide your ankles and feet the support that you need to exercise. 

Everyone’s body is different, so when it comes to your care be sure to stay in close contact with your doctor as well as your physical therapist. At North Platte Physical Therapy, we are here to help meet your needs. We serve the communities of Wyoming and Nebraska with 22 clinics offering a full range of physical therapy services. Contact us today for more information.