ReApp Ankle

Ankle sprains are one of the most common injuries occurring during sport and exercise. Around 5000 ankle sprains occur each day in the United Kingdom [1] with about 302 000 admissions to Emergency departments [2]. Rehabilitation exercises can improve recovery and decrease the risk of re-injury.

This App is designed as a rehabilitation tool that clinicians can recommend to their patients once they have seen the patient. The app provides detailed information on rehabilitation exercises that can help improve recovery after an ankle sprain. The clinician can direct the patient on use of the App. Each exercise should be introduced progressively throughout recovery. The exercises aim to improve ankle muscle strength, range of movement, and balance. This App is not recommended as a self-management tool without expert clinical advice. The exercises are suitable for home based rehabilitation. The patient does not require access to expensive equipment.

This App was developed by a team of clinicians and researchers from the University of Ulster who have been working within the area of ankle rehabilitation for the past decade. The rehabilitation program is developed based on expert consensus and from peer reviewed and published research. A team of health professionals including sports medicine consultants and physiotherapists have tested the App for quality and content and recommended the App for public use.

Overview of key content

- Four rehabilitation stages linked to the stage of your injury and normal level of physical activity.

- Video clips and text to accurately demonstrate exercises

- A guide for progression of exercises

- Checklist of how / when to progress to the next rehabilitation stage

- Return to normal activity checklist

[1] De Bie RA, de Vet HC, van den Wildenberg FA, Lenssen T, Knipschild PG. The prognosis of ankle sprains. Int J Sports Med 1997;18:285-9.

[2] Bridgman SA, Clement D, Downing A, Walley G, Phair I, Maffulli N. Population based epidemiology of ankle sprains attending accident and emergency units in the West Midlands of England, and a survey of UK practice for severe ankle sprains. Emerg Med J 2003;20:508-10.