Ep 385: Lateral Ankle Sprains Masterclass

In episode 385 of The Physical Performance Show, host Brad Beer sits down with fellow physiotherapist Lewis Craig for a lateral ankle sprain masterclass. Drawing on material the pair recently presented at a Gold Coast orthopedic evening, Brad and Lewis cover the burden and prevalence of lateral ankle sprains, the three-part clinical assessment process, key differential diagnoses, rehabilitation phases, and preventative strategies including bracing and taping.

The episode explores why lateral ankle sprains — despite their reputation as a minor injury — carry a significant risk of chronic ankle instability, and why a thorough, structured assessment is essential to a smooth recovery. Brad and Lewis unpack the different ligament and tendon structures that can be involved, the red flags practitioners need to rule out, the impairment categories drawn from Jay Hertel's model of chronic ankle instability, and how rehabilitation should progress from protection through to return to sport and long-term prevention.

Show Sponsor:

Pogo Physio also offers online Telehealth Consultations for endurance athletes managing bone, tendon, or joint issues — book online at https://www.pogophysio.com.au.

And...

PILLAR Performance is leading a new frontier in the sports nutrition industry through micronutrition innovation. Their Performance Health range is designed to support the crucial hours outside of training and racing, helping athletes return to the start line in peak condition.

One of their newest releases is Collagen Repair, developed in collaboration with Gelita Laboratories and featuring the clinically trialled collagen peptide TENDOFORT. For 15% off your first purchase, head to pillarperformance.shop or, for North American listeners, thefeed.com and use the code PHYSICALPERFORMANCE at checkout.

Pillar Performance continues to lead the way in sports nutrition through micro-nutrition innovation, now expanding into the Performance Health range. One of their newest releases, Collagen Repair, was developed with Gelita Laboratories (Germany) using a clinically trialled collagen peptide (Tendofort) to support tendon and ligament health in conditions like hamstring tendinopathy, Achilles tendonitis, shin splints, and patellofemoral pain.

Head to Pogo Physio also offers online Telehealth Consultations for endurance athletes managing bone, tendon, or joint issues — book online at https://www.pillarperformance.shop (or https://www.thefeed.com for North American listeners) and use code PHYSICALPERFORMANCE for 15% off your first purchase.

Partners / links mentioned:

Ortho Tools (Cumberland Ankle Instability Tool / CAIT): mentioned in-episode as the online questionnaire resource

Contact: Lewis Craig — l.craig@pogophysio.com.au