If you have scar tissue in your ankle due to injury, surgery, or overuse, you may have restricted mobility in this part of the body. Although this tissue has a specific purpose in the wound healing process, it can also cause pain or, in the case of an ankle injury, decreased activity.
How does physical therapy work on scar tissue?
When soft tissues such as ligaments, muscles, tendons, or fascia are injured, your body responds to trauma by forming scar tissue. Although an injury is one of the most common reasons for the ankle, you can also have it due to surgeries or overuse. The damaged soft tissue is replaced with new collagen fibers, but unfortunately, your body cannot exactly replicate the injured tissue.
The good news is that there are certain treatments, like physical therapy, and they can make a difference in how your body responds to this new scar tissue.
Physical therapy can certainly help minimize scar tissue and the negative effects it can have on functional mobility and physical performance. To ensure the best results, a structured and multifaceted approach is essential to reduce the effects of scar tissue and treat the underlying causes.
The physical therapist will conduct a comprehensive evaluation and build a plan to address impairments and performance limitations. Following a comprehensive plan can help you maintain good ankle health, which is extremely important for daily function and higher levels of performance, especially since the development of scar tissue in the ankle can lead to chronic pain and physical limitations.
Exercises for ankle scar tissue
In general, active range-of-motion exercises (moving the joint through its full range of motion) and stretching exercises such as calf stretching can help maintain normal ankle mobility and counteract the harmful effects of training. of scar tissue.
The key to treating ankle scar tissue pain is to act fast. After an injury, it is important to introduce mobility early, and often within specific guidelines.
Stretching the muscles that support the ankle joint is a common exercise to help with scar tissue. An ideal back ankle stretch for these situations is the "runner stretch." When doing this stretch, it is important to hold for 30 to 60 seconds and use gentle, steady, bounce-free pressure.
Ankle circles and the alphabet are also helpful in minimizing scar tissue and improving mobility.
Are there other treatments?
In addition to mobility and stretching exercises for greater flexibility, your physical therapist may recommend other tools to help alleviate pain associated with scar tissue in the ankle.
These include therapeutic exercise, manual therapy, soft tissue instrument-assisted mobilization (also known as the Graston technique), and kinesio tapes .
According to a June 2015 review of research published in the journal Evidenced Complementary and Alternative Medicine, the researchers found that in clinical practice, the use of kinesiotherapy is a successful treatment to control myofascial pain that may result from scar tissue.
Soft tissue instrument-assisted mobilization, also known as the Graston technique , is a treatment option that your physical therapist can choose to help improve soft tissue mobility. The process involves the use of an instrument to remove the scar tissue.
According to a review of an article published in the February 2017 issue of the Journal of Exercise Rehabilitation, this technique is shown to reduce pain and improve soft tissue function and range of motion in acute or chronic soft tissue sports injuries.
