Is Your Brain Preventing You From Recovering From an Ankle Injury?

What if improving your ankle health wasn't just about physical therapy, but re-training your brain? UNO’s latest research could have you thinking about recovery differently, with neurocognitive rehab showing promise in treating chronic ankle instability.

➡️ What’s new: Adam Rosen, Ph.D., ATC, an expert in sports medicine, biomechanics, and athletic training, with research focused on chronic ankle instability and patellar tendinopathy, at the University of Nebraska at Omaha (UNO), is leading a National Institutes of Health (NIH)-funded study to examine how individuals with chronic ankle instability (CAI) respond to different neurophysiologic stimuli and how neurocognitive enhanced therapy could improve patient outcomes.

💡 Why it matters:

• 30% of individuals will develop some level of chronic ankle instability after an initial lateral ankle sprain occurs, preventing full recovery even after an initial injury.

• Individuals with CAI present with varied symptoms—some experience ankle ligament looseness, while others have no noticeable disability. Neurophysiological assessments may better characterize these patients.

• Neurocognitive rehabilitation could address underlying neurological mechanisms that complicate recovery, improving rehabilitation strategies.

• The study could lead to better, evidence-based treatments for chronic ankle instability (CAI), enhancing the quality of life for thousands.

🔎 Zoom in: Rosen’s team is exploring the brain’s role in ankle stability.

• The study focuses on how patients with ankle instability present with different neurocognitive functions and cortical activity during hopping and balance exercises.

• The research aims to develop treatments that better address neurological factors in ankle rehabilitation, which are often overlooked.

🎤 What they’re saying: “Chronic ankle instability is a complex condition, and traditional treatments don’t always work for everyone. By understanding the brain's involvement in ankle function, we hope to improve recovery rates and outcomes for those affected,” said Rosen.

🌎 The big picture: This research supports UNO’s mission to advance public health through cutting-edge solutions that improve rehabilitation methods for common, debilitating injuries like CAI.

⚡ What’s next: The study’s findings may influence future rehabilitation techniques, leading to improved recovery options for individuals suffering from ankle instability and similar conditions.