Ankle Sprains and Stiffness Treatment in Mineola, NY

MULLIGAN CONCEPT

Ankle Sprains and Stiffness

Most ankle sprains heal, but many people are left with a stiff ankle that won't bend fully in a squat, lunge or on stairs, and that stiffness raises the risk of another sprain. At Enhanced Physical Therapy in Mineola, we use Mulligan ankle mobilization with movement, often while you lunge, to restore comfortable ankle bending, then rebuild strength and balance.

Certified Mulligan Practitioner Over 10 Years of Experience

Our clinics director is a Certified Mulligan Practitioner (CMP) with over a decade
of experience using this evidence-based approach. Each treatment is customized to
your specific diagnosis and movement limitations to achieve optimal outcomes.

Common signs of ankle sprains and stiffness

Pain and swelling after rolling the ankle
A stiff ankle that won't bend in a squat or lunge
Pain on stairs, slopes or uneven ground
A tight feeling at the front of the ankle
Stiffness after time in a cast or boot

What causes it

Sprains stretch or tear the ankle ligaments, and swelling and protection afterward can leave the joint stiff. Weeks in a cast or boot after a fracture do the same.

How we examine it

We check whether you need an X-ray using standard screening rules, then assess swelling, motion, strength and balance. A key test is how far your knee travels past your toes in a lunge. We test whether a Mulligan glide improves that lunge during the visit.

Mulligan techniques we use

Weight-bearing ankle MWM. You lunge forward while Dr. Kurian, or a belt, holds a gentle glide at the ankle. It restores ankle bending, often the last thing to return after a sprain.
Non-weight-bearing ankle MWM. The same glide applied lying down, for an early or painful ankle.
Fibular glide MWM. A glide of the lower end of the fibula while you move the ankle.
Self-MWM with a belt. A home version so you keep the gains.

What the research says

Randomized trials and meta-analyses have found ankle MWM improves ankle bending and pain after sprains, and a trial found it helped chronic ankle stiffness. One trial found a fibula glide plus taping did not improve long-standing stiffness, so we choose techniques by how your ankle responds. Ankle sprain guidelines support manual therapy combined with exercise.

What else is in your treatment plan

Your plan moves from protecting the ankle to restoring motion, strength and balance, then sport or work-specific training.

How long recovery takes

Mild sprains often recover in 2 to 4 weeks, moderate sprains in 4 to 8 weeks. After a fracture, recovery takes several months.

When to see a doctor first

Call your doctor, or get urgent care, if you have any of the following:

Unable to take four steps right after the injury
Bony tenderness at the ankle bones or the outer edge of the foot
Numbness or a cold, pale foot
Swelling that keeps increasing
Calf pain and swelling days after the injury

Ankle sprains and stiffness treatment near Mineola

Enhanced Physical Therapy is at 137 Willis Ave, Suite 100, Mineola, NY 11501, a short walk from NYU Langone Hospital-Long Island. We see patients from Mineola, Garden City, Williston Park, New Hyde Park, Carle Place, Westbury, Albertson and Manhasset, and across central Nassau County.

Frequently asked questions

How long does a sprained ankle take to heal?

Usually 2 to 8 weeks depending on severity. Rehab helps the ankle regain full motion and balance.

Why is my ankle still stiff months later?

Ankle bending is often the last thing to return after a sprain or cast. Mulligan ankle techniques target this.

Do I need an X-ray?

Only if certain signs are present, such as not being able to bear weight or bony tenderness. We screen for these.

When should I start physical therapy?

Early is better. Gentle, guided movement in the first week tends to help.

Written and clinically reviewed by Jacob Kurian, PT, MSPT, CMP, DPT, Certified Mulligan Practitioner, Enhanced Physical Therapy, Mineola NY. Last updated October 14, 2026.

Move Better, Feel Better

If this is limiting your work, sleep or activity, call Enhanced Physical Therapy at (516) 833-5880 to book an evaluation with Jacob Kurian, Certified Mulligan Practitioner. Mulligan treatment may help reduce pain and improve movement, and we will tell you honestly what to expect.