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Episode 175:Why Your Flyer Can't Stabilize: That Old Ankle Sprain Still Counts
Description
Why Your Flyer Can't Stabilize: That Old Ankle Sprain Still Counts
"I sprained my ankle back in high school… but that was forever ago, so it doesn't count, right?"
It counts. Rarely is an ankle sprain just an ankle sprain. In this episode, I share two athletes from my clinic, one with knee pain and one with hip pain, whose "real" problem was hiding somewhere else. For one, a weak hip was letting the ankle roll in. For the other, a stiff ankle from an old sprain was cutting off hip extension and pushing the problem up the chain.
If you coach a flyer who used to be solid but suddenly can't stabilize, or an athlete who "rolled it a little" and jumped right back in, this one is for you.
IN THIS EPISODE:
- Why old ankle sprains still affect how your athletes move years later
- How the hip can cause ankle rolling, and how a stiff ankle can cause hip pain
- Two real clinic examples: same area, different root cause, different plan
- When to refer to physical therapy vs. when to address it in warm-ups
- Why most athletes with an old sprain don't need to sit out or wear a brace; they need to move better
The four movement patterns I use to screen athletes with a history of ankle sprains
MAT READY:
Learn to screen your athletes and give them the right exercises, not 1,000 exercises →
https://ltthecheerpt.com/matready-1518
QUESTION OF THE WEEK:
Has an athlete ever brushed off an old ankle sprain as "no big deal"? Watch for the slightest hitch in their step or a wobble in their balance. Tell me what you notice. Send me a message here or on Instagram.
CONNECT WITH LAURA:
Laura Turner, PT, DPT | The Cheer PT
Physical therapist, strength coach, and host of The Cheer Athlete Podcast, helping coaches, parents, and athletes reduce injuries by understanding how the body moves.
When in doubt, breathe out.
#cheerleading #cheercoach #anklesprain #flyer #cheerinjuries #physicaltherapy #movementscreen