Ankle Stability
Key notes
- Type of exercise: Isometric, co-ordination and balance
- Muscles used: Gastrocnemius, soleus. Tibialis posterior, peroneal longus, peroneal brevis.
- Good for: Developing movement confidence, ankle stability, co-ordination, balance.
- When to use during rehab: Early to middle stages
Equipment options
This exercise doesn’t require any equipment and can be done on any surface, both at home and in-clinic.
Method
- Have your patient go up onto their tiptoes.
- Next, have them dorsiflex one ankle for a couple of seconds, before returning their toes back down to the floor.
- They should repeat this movement, using their other foot.
- Remember to ensure that there is no knee flexion when the patient is doing this exercise. The only joint that should be moving is the ankle joint.
Escalating difficulty
To increase difficulty, find a mark on the floor and have the patient stand so that their toes are in line with the mark. Then, without the patient looking downwards, have them stand on their tiptoes and tap the floor with each of their feet 3 times.
- The aim is for their toes to be in the same position, along the mark after completing the exercise.
