Rehabilitation of a Lateral Ankle Sprain with Cryokinetics and Functional Progressive Exercise

A treatment and rehabilitation protocol was implemented on a university football player sustaining a second-degree lateral ankle sprain. The initial treatment plan involved the application of the RICE principle (rest, ice, compression, and elevation). This particular rehabilitation protocol was aimed at restoring range of motion and function at the earliest possible time with the use of a cryokinetic technique developed by Knight and with progressive exercise. The subject in this case study returned to full participation 6 days postinjury. The results from this report indicate that a program of cryokinetics and functional progressive exercise performed within pain-free limits can greatly enhance the return of an athlete to competition.