| Phase of healing/rehabilitation | Sample prescription |
| Inflammatory | |
| Goals: - Protection of injured structures - Relative rest - Decreased swelling and inflammation (ice, elevation, compression) - Maintenance of cardiovascular fitness | Diagnosis: Grade 2 ankle sprain Passive support/air cast. Lace up brace/air cast. Evaluate for/fit assistive device (crutch, roll-about). Ice, compression, elevation, local modalities as indicated for edema reduction and restoration of ROM. Cycling, aquatics, upper extremity ergometer. |
| Reparative | |
| Goals: - Protection of injured structures - Range of motion, joint mobility, and flexibility - Reestablish proprioception - Maintenance of cardiovascular fitness - Progression from voluntary muscle firing patterns to strength, endurance, and power | Diagnosis: Grade 2 ankle sprain Manual therapy, progressive resistive exercise, balance training, and lace-up ankle brace for ROM, flexibility, and proprioception. Progressive weight bearing exercise as tolerated. |
| Transition from reparative to maturation | |
| Goals: - Maintenance of cardiovascular fitness - Range of motion and flexibility - Normalize proprioception - Increased strength, endurance, power, speed and agility. Progress to sport-specific skills. | Diagnosis: Grade 2 ankle sprain Functional exercise progression, closed chain strengthening, agility drills as tolerated. |
| Maturation | |
| Goals: - As above for "Transition from reparative to maturation" | Diagnosis: Grade 2 ankle sprain Sports specific speed, agility, plyometric training. |
