Recover Stronger: How Engineered Performance by DMOS Handles Ankle Sprain Rehab for Athletes
Ankle sprains are one of the most common injuries in basketball and other sports requiring explosive movements and quick changes of direction. At Engineered Performance by DMOS, we take a comprehensive approach to ensure our athletes don’t just recover but come back stronger and more resilient than ever.
Our Sports Rehab Process: From Injury to Full Recovery
Correct Diagnosis & Managing Inflammation
One of the first steps in effective sports rehab is ensuring a correct diagnosis and taking immediate steps to protect the injured tissue. At EP, we focus on active inflammation management by introducing tolerable range of motion (ROM) training and controlled movement early on. This prevents excessive stiffness and helps promote circulation for faster healing. Our approach blends targeted soft tissue work, progressive mobility drills and protective bracing or taping strategies to safely guide athletes through this crucial phase.
Restoring Range of Motion (ROM)
After an ankle sprain, restoring range of motion (ROM) is a top priority. Our sports injury rehab specialists use a combination of manual therapy, mobility drills, and movement to reduce stiffness and swelling while ensuring proper joint mechanics. Our goal is to regain full, pain-free movement as quickly as possible, setting the foundation for a strong recovery.
Strength Progression: Building Stability & Control
Once ROM is restored, we focus on strength progression to rebuild the muscles and tendons surrounding the ankle. Our approach includes:
- Isometric holds to activate stabilizing muscles without excessive movement.
- Eccentric loading to strengthen the ligaments and reduce reinjury risk.
- Dynamic resistance training to improve strength in sport-specific positions.
By methodically progressing from controlled exercises to functional strength training, we ensure athletes are prepared for the high demands of competitive play.
Plyometric Introduction: Rebuilding Explosiveness
Ankle sprains often disrupt an athlete’s ability to generate power through the lower body. That’s why we introduce plyometric training early in the rehabilitation process. Our plyo progression includes:
- Low-impact landing mechanics to reinforce proper technique.
- Progressive bounding drills to restore elastic energy return.
- Sport-specific agility work to simulate real-game movements.
This phase is crucial in transitioning athletes from rehab to performance, ensuring they regain confidence in their explosive capabilities.
Return to Sport Testing: Ensuring Readiness & Confidence
Before an athlete is cleared to return to play, we conduct a thorough return to sport testing protocol. This includes:
- Single-leg hop tests to assess power symmetry.
- Balance and stability evaluations to ensure neuromuscular control.
- Agility and reactive drills that mimic game-time demands.
We don’t just rely on subjective assessments—we use objective data to confirm that an athlete is ready to compete without hesitation or fear of reinjury.
A Comprehensive & Collaborative Approach to Sports Rehab
At Engineered Performance by DMOS, we take pride in our ability to seamlessly coordinate sports physical therapy care between all key stakeholders. We actively communicate with:
- Doctors and orthopedic sports medicine specialists to ensure medical clearance aligns with our rehab timeline.
- Physical therapists and Athletic Trainers to integrate clinical treatment with on-field progression.
- Sports performance coaches to adjust training loads and ensure a smooth return.
- Parents and athletes to provide clear expectations and a step-by-step roadmap for recovery.
Our holistic approach to sports rehab ensures that everyone is aligned, minimizing setbacks and maximizing an athlete’s confidence in their return to play.
Come Back Stronger with EP’s Sports Rehab Experts
Ankle sprains don’t have to be season-ending setbacks. With the right sports physical therapy program, athletes can return stronger, more resilient, and better prepared to dominate in their sport. If you or your athlete needs expert guidance for an ankle sprain, reach out to Engineered Performance by DMOS today. Let’s take your recovery beyond rehab so you can get back in the game better than ever.
