A folded ankle is one of the most common injuries in skateboarding. I’ve probably had about 50 myself. I would always stretch out my ankles by standing on the side of my foot. I figured this would make me more limber and less likely to get sprains, some of which would put me out of commission for 2-3 months. A few years ago I talked to a physical therapist and found out I was 100% wrong.
Stretching your ankles is about the worst thing you can do if you want to avoid a folded ankle. The fact of the matter is that if your ankle bends too far, you’re going to get a sprain. Stretching your ankle out makes it easier to bend, and therefore easier to sprain.
I really hadn’t understood how much I had been stretching my ankles, but when I started thinking about it I realized I did it all the time. So I stopped doing it, and guess what? I haven’t had a folded ankle in two years. In fact, there are time I should have folded my ankle, but it didn’t fold. Yes, these ankles don’t fall, they stand tall. That rhymes, and you know it rhymes.
So stop stretching your ankles, and trust me, they’ll thank you.
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That’s the funniest thing I’ve heard in a long time! When I was 15 I sprained my ankle learning handrails, and the doctor told me to stretch my ankles for therapy! I’ve also been doing that forever and I’m 31 now! Guess I’ll stop!
It’s good to have flexibility and strength in your ankles for any sport really but stretching doesn’t really help that… try doing exercises such as spelling out the alphabet with each of your feet (daily, it takes like 5 minutes just do it before bed or something), walking on your toes in shoes for a few minutes, then walk on your heels in shoes for a few minutes… these are all rehabilitation exercises I’ve done in the past for ankle injuries. I still do the alphabet thing, the walking one not so much.
ive had the worst luck in the world with my ankle canstantly hurting it everytime i skateboard again and am trying everything to heal it again and if i sprain it one more time ill get surgery because im sick of not skating….i think swimming helps alot as i can feel my ankles (injured one and strong one) burning after the exercise, i also constantly stretch my ankle and do the alpphabet thing. i strongly suggest swimming
iv,e sprained my ankle 3 times now skateboarding, all in the space of two years. i was thinking of just becoming a filmer for my friends but that wont be as much fun. aparently ive always had a week ankle even before i first sprained it. whats your opinion?
I used to sprain my ankles 10 times each year. Three times in two years is nothing. I say get some ankle braces, read up on some therapy for strengthening your ankles, and keep skating.