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Rehabilitation after anatomical ankle ligament repair or reconstruction

  • Ankle
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Knee Surgery, Sports Traumatology, Arthroscopy Aims and scope

Abstract

The selection, implementation of and adherence to a post-operative regimen are all essential in order to achieve the best outcomes after ankle ligament surgery. The purpose of this paper is to present a best-evidence approach to this, with grounding in basic science and a consensus opinion from the members of the ESSKA-AFAS Ankle Instability Group. Basic science and clinical evidence surrounding tissue healing after surgical repair or reconstruction of the ligaments as well as around the re-establishment of sensorimotor control are reviewed. A consensus opinion based on this evidence as to the recommended rehabilitation protocol after ankle ligament surgery was then obtained from the members of the ESSKA-AFAS Ankle Instability Group. Rehabilitation recommendations are presented for the initial post-operative period, the early recovery phase and a goal-orientated late rehabilitation and return-to-sport phase. This paper presents practical, evidenced-based guidelines for rehabilitation and return to activity after lateral ankle ligament surgery.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Jurong Health, NTFGH, 1 Jurong East Street 21, Singapore, 609606, Singapore

    Christopher J. Pearce

  2. Centre Osteo-Articulaire des Cèdres, Parc Galaxie SUD, 5 rue des tropiques, 38130, Echirolles, France

    Yves Tourné

  3. Department of Physical Therapy, University of Delaware, Newark, DE, USA

    Jennifer Zellers & Karin Grävare Silbernagel

  4. Laboratoire de Physiologie de l’Exercice (EA 4338), Université Savoie Mont-Blanc, 73377, Le Bourget du Lac, France

    Romain Terrier

  5. CEVRES Santé Savoie Technolac, 30 allée du lac d’ Aiguebelette, BP 322, 73377, Le Bourget du Lac, France

    Pascal Toschi

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  1. Christopher J. Pearce
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  2. Yves Tourné
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  3. Jennifer Zellers
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  4. Romain Terrier
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  5. Pascal Toschi
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  6. Karin Grävare Silbernagel
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ESKKA-AFAS Ankle Instability Group

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Correspondence to Christopher J. Pearce.

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Pearce, C.J., Tourné, Y., Zellers, J. et al. Rehabilitation after anatomical ankle ligament repair or reconstruction. Knee Surg Sports Traumatol Arthrosc 24, 1130–1139 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00167-016-4051-z

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00167-016-4051-z

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