Summary

In this podcast episode, we talk with Jente Wachemans, a physiotherapist and researcher specializing in ankle sprains and chronic instability. We discuss the nature of lateral ankle sprains, differentiating them from other types of ankle injuries, and touch on chronic ankle instability, a condition that remains somewhat ambiguous and under-researched. Jente emphasizes that while ankle sprains are common, particularly in sports, the transition to chronic instability isn't always straightforward and requires more prospective data for a clearer understanding. We also explore the prevalence of ankle sprains across various sports and demographic groups, noting higher incidences in females and younger populations.

Jente shares his approach to managing ankle sprains, from the acute phase to return to sport, advocating for exercise-based rehabilitation and the importance of patient education. He highlights the Peace and Love principles for immediate post-injury care and emphasizes the role of neurocognitive tasks in rehabilitation. We also discuss the use of orthopedic tests, ultrasound, and the significance of understanding which ligaments are involved in the injury for effective treatment. Jente stresses the importance of not underestimating ankle sprains, ensuring proper rehabilitation to prevent recurrence, and the potential role of surgery in persistent cases. 

 

Guest

Jente Wagemans is a physiotherapist and researcher at the University of Antwerp who is currently doing is PhD in collaboration with Ulster Universtity and Bern University of applied sciences. As part of his PhD he has published several papers about ankle sprains and chronic instability.

 

Timestamps

00:00 Intro

00:49 What is a lateral ankle sprain?

02:04 How is it different from other sprains?

03:12 At what point do we talk about chronic instability?

08:00 Prevalence

09:36 The typical patient

11:22 Risk factors

14:00 Ankle mobility & strength metrics

15:07 Chronic Instability risk factors

18:45 Red Flag Awareness

23:46 PEACE & LOVE

26:45 Orthopedic Testing

31:20 When is MRI valuable?

32:54 Functional Assessment

36:37 Management Approach 

45:18 Taping & Braces

47:13 Recurrence & Prevention

49:00 When surgery is indicated

52:10 Return to Sport timeline

56:20 Jente's closing thoughts

57:53 Contact Info

59:40 Outro

 

Bonus Material

Download the referenced transcript including PubMed Links and a high-resolution infographic on this episode as part of your Physiotutors membership on the Physiotutors App.

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