POST-ANKLE SPRAIN RECOVERY IN HIGH-PERFORMANCE ATHLETES THROUGH PERSONALIZED PHYSICAL THERAPY PROGRAMS

Background: Ankle sprains represent one of the most frequent injuries among athletes, particularly in sports involving contact or rapid directional changes. Despite being considered minor injuries in some cases, inadequate diagnosis or management may lead to chronic instability, reduced performance, or long-term disability. Understanding the clinical and imaging features of these sprains according to variables such as gender, age, type of sport, and injury severity is essential for optimizing prevention and rehabilitation strategies. Methods: This study included athletes presenting with unilateral ankle sprains, assessed both clinically and through imaging investigations (ultrasound and/or MRI). Data were collected on: sex, age, and type of sport practiced,Injury classification: Degree I, II, or III sprain (based on ligament damage), clinical symptoms (pain, swelling,instability) and their correlation with imaging findings. The goal was to identify significant patterns and differences between subgroups to inform better recovery protocols. Results: Ankle sprains were more prevalent in contact sports (e.g., football, basketball) and among younger male athletes,grade II sprains were the most common overall, but females showed a higher proportion of grade I injuries, while males had more grade III cases, especially in high-impact sports,athletes with early imaging diagnosis had significantly faster return-to-play times and fewer recurrences compared to those managed solely based on clinical assessment. Conclusions: Ankle sprains in athletes present variable clinical and imaging patterns based on sex, age, sport type, and injury grade. Accurate diagnosis, especially through early imaging, improves recovery timelines and reduces long-term complications. These findings support the need for sport- and athlete-specific assessment protocols in both injury prevention and rehabilitation planning.