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Exercise for a Stiff Ankle.

If a stiff ankle is the result of a sprain, passive exercises should be started when the ankle is no longer painful. Massage can be started gently a little earlier. The principle of “keeping the injured part at rest” has been superseded by “keeping the injured part at work.”

If the ankle is left too long without movement it may get “set.”

A simple remedy is to have the ankle and leg massaged with olive oil or liniment for five minutes. This relaxes the tissues and muscles and makes movement easier.

The leg is then grasped above the ankle with one hand, and with the other—the right one—the foot is grasped and a series of up-and-down movements are made, exercising steady pressure, but using no force.

Desist when the treatment causes appreciable pain, but continue with the treatment daily until the stiffness has been overcome.