Table.

Surgical Management of Chronic Ankle Instability: Postoperative Protocols

Study	Weight-Bearing Status	Immobilization	Therapeutic Exercises	Return to Play
Bell et al29 (2006)	Unspecified	Splint postoperatively for unspecified time period	Unspecified motion and activity	Return of ankle strength
Baraza et al30 (2017)	NWB for 6 wk before allowing WBAT in a MalleoLoca ankle splint	Cast for 6 wk postsurgery	PT involving gentle ROM exercises	Unspecified
Karlsson et al34 (1989)	Unspecified	Below-the-knee cast for 6 wk postsurgery	Peroneal strengthening exercises and coordination training using tilt boards for 6–12 wk	Ankle is functionally stable
Acevedo and Mangone56 (2015)	NWB for 2 wk postoperatively WBAT for wk 2–4 Full weight bearing for wk 4–6	Short-leg splint for 2 wk postsurgery Boot walker for wk 2–4 Lace-up ankle brace for wk 4–6 Active ankle brace for 12 wk postsurgery and for 6 mo when participating in sports/high-impact physical activity	Gentle ROM exercises for wk 2–4 Continue dorsiflexion and plantar-flexion exercises for wk 4–6 PT involving peroneal muscle strengthening and proprioception at wk 6+	Normal ankle strength and functional test performance at least 90% of opposite leg
Kaikkonen et al38 (1999)	Full weight bearing as soon as possible without pain	Below-knee plaster cast for 4–6 wk postsurgery	Isometric muscle exercises of the ankle, exercises of thigh muscle, and of knee joint while in cast	Unspecified
			Active nonrestricted flexion-extension exercises after cast removal
Karlsson et al39 (1988)	WBAT after 3 wk postsurgery	Below-the-knee plaster for 6 wk postsurgery	Unspecified	Unspecified
Hennrikus et al40 (1996)	Unspecified	Bulky compression dressing with ankle in neutral position for 2 wk postsurgery	Dorsiflexion and plantar-flexion exercises after cast removal	3 mo after cast removal
		Short-leg walking cast for wk 2–6
Sefton et al59 (1979)	WBAT after wound is healed	Below-the-knee plaster for 6 wk postsurgery	Graduated weight-bearing activities after plaster is removed	Unspecified
Li et al60 (2009)	NWB for 10–14 d postoperatively	Splint for 4 wk postsurgery Protective ankle brace starting at wk 4	ROM exercises starting wk 4 Proprioception and strength training for wk 6–8 Plyometrics for wk 8–12 Straight running and functional activity starting at wk 12 Cutting and sports drills starting at wk 16	Soon after cutting and sports drills

Abbreviations: NWB, non–weight bearing; PT, physical therapy; ROM, range of motion; WBAT, weight bearing as tolerated.

^a Bauerfeind AG, Zeulenroda-Triebes, Germany.