My son injured his ankle in a sports injury. He saw several athletic trainers and therapists with no improvement. Then a physical therapist did a joint manipulation on the ankle and he was back playing the same day. Is that all that’s needed? What if it happens again?

Your son may have had a partial dislocation of a bone in the ankle causing his symptoms. It’s not uncommon for a manipulation to realign the joint and restore full motion and function.

A second manipulation may be needed if the injury has been present a month or more. Sometimes the therapist will advise the athlete to tape the joint for the first week back on the field.

Stretching and self-mobilization can be taught to maintain the good results. Many athletes never have a relapse or return of symptoms, even months later.