4 ways PT can address internal scarring after ankle surgery

Many people have scars on their feet. From cutting yourself after stepping on broken glass to old blisters, it’s not uncommon to have visible scars on your ankles and feet. But what about internal scarring after a surgical procedure?

In some cases of ankle injuries and medical conditions, like broken bones, tendinitis and arthritis, surgery may be required. And that can lead to painful internal scarring afterward that makes it difficult to stand or walk.

Read on to learn about internal scarring, how it can affect you after ankle surgery and how physical therapy can help.

What is internal scarring?

Internal scarring is similar to visible surface scarring in the fact that both come from collagen replacing healthy tissue that has been damaged as part of the healing process. But while surface scars stem from visible things like acne, scrapes and chickenpox, internal scarring can be a bit harder to identify.

Internal scarring can come from:

• Injury (Sprains, strains and trauma).
• Consistent strenuous physical activity.
• Disease.
• Surgery.

Internal scarring after ankle surgery

If you had ankle surgery due to conditions like worsening arthritis, or injuries like an ankle fracture, you might have internal scarring.

While not all internal scarring is the same, they are often connected. Fibrosis refers to the scarring of tissue in a muscle or organ. You can also have adhesions, which are the scars that form between organs due to infection or surgery. One of the potential complications after ankle surgery is arthrofibrosis. Arthrofibrosis in the ankle means that there’s scar tissue that has formed around the joint due to adhesions and scarring.

Symptoms of arthrofibrosis in the ankle include:

• Pain.
• Limited range of motion.
• Stiffness.
• Change in gait.
• Ankle dysfunction.

4 ways that physical therapy can help internal scarring after ankle surgery

If you have internal scarring following ankle surgery, it can be frustrating. While your main ankle issue may be resolved, the pain and reduced mobility from the scarring can still make it hard to handle your daily activities.

Physical therapy is one of the best treatment options for internal scarring after ankle surgery. Not only can it help with feet and ankle pain that stems from a variety of conditions and injuries, including scar tissue, but it can also help with post-surgical rehabilitation.

Here are four ways that physical therapy can help your internal scarring after ankle surgery:

1. Pain management — Pain is one of the most prominent symptoms of internal scarring, but a physical therapist can try several techniques to help alleviate it. They can try a manual therapy method like soft tissue mobilization, where they use their hands to find scar tissue. Then they could use massage-like movements to break up the tissue and release the tension. They may also do instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization, which involves the same motions, but use their hands as well as steel rods.

2. Build and restore strength — Muscle weakness in the ankle can cause instability and excessive pressure on the joint. The strength of your ankle can be damaged by an injury or medical condition, but it can also be affected following ankle surgery due to the rest and lack of movement that follows the procedure. A physical therapist can show you exercises that will help increase your ankle strength.

3. Increase ankle flexibility — Internal scarring can cause ankle stiffness, which can reduce the joint’s range of motion. Similar to the effect of surgery on your ankle’s strength, inactivity can cause your ankle to have reduced flexibility. A physical therapist can show you safe and effective stretches that will increase your ankle’s flexibility that will help reduce the risk of future injury.

4. Improve balance — Your balance and gait can be affected by internal ankle scarring due to instability and stiffness. And after ankle surgery, it can take some time to get used to being back on your feet again. A physical therapist can show you training exercises to improve your balance and will help you stand and walk with a reduced risk of falling or sustaining an injury.

Alliance PTP is ready to find you the best PT for internal scarring after ankle surgery

At Alliance Physical Therapy Partners, we’re proudly bringing together physical therapy practices across the country to help people get the high-quality PT they need. 

Want to see a physical therapist in person? We can put you in touch with an Alliance PTP partner that’s close to you and that can help you address internal scarring after ankle surgery. 

Not keen on in-person PT sessions or not close to an Alliance PTP partner? No worries. We also offer effective and affordable virtual physical therapy through our Agile Virtual Physical Therapy platform. 

Come find help for your injury or chronic condition today!