15 Years of Treating Ankles… and This Month Mine Needed the Team
This March, Medipod Clinics celebrates 15 years of caring for our community. And in a slightly humbling twist, I became the patient.
A simple misstep on the stairs. My right foot slid forward onto the step below, rolled inwards and forced the ankle backwards. Immediate swelling and excruciating pain. Pain along the outside of the ankle and deep at the back of the joint.
It would have been easy to say, “It’s just a sprain.” But after 15 years of treating ankle injuries at Medipod Clinics (and almost 30 years of clinical experience), I knew better.
What Happened Inside the Ankle?
When the foot rolls inward, the ligaments on the outside of the ankle stretch. The most commonly injured is the anterior talofibular ligament (ATFL). In my case, that ligament was almost certainly strained. However, the dominant discomfort was deeper and at the back of the ankle.
When the ankle is forced downward under load, the back of the joint can become compressed. This irritates the posterior capsule and surrounding structures, leading to swelling, stiffness and pain when pushing off the foot. It is slightly different from a straightforward rolled ankle, and it needs careful early management.
The First 48 Hours: Teamwork in Action
One of the greatest privileges of 15 years in practice is the team around you. Within the first 48 hours, I was assessed by our Consultant Podiatrist. A full clinical evaluation confirmed a lateral ligament sprain with posterior joint compression. Acupuncture was performed alongside laser therapy to help modulate pain and stimulate tissue repair in the acute inflammatory phase.
I also spoke to our in-house Physiotherapist. Her input focused on:
- Protecting the ligament
- Avoiding end-range plantarflexion
- Maintaining controlled movement
- Preventing compensatory patterns
- Offered a full rehab plan once the acute phase has passed.
Meanwhile, the rest of the podiatry team took turns delivering additional Class IV laser sessions for pain management and taping throughout the first week.
Reception stepped in to reduce my clinical workload, allowing proper recovery time without compromising patient care.
That is what 15 years builds. Not just experience, but teamwork. And I am grateful to every single one of them!
The Power of Laser and Adjunct Therapies
In total, six laser sessions were delivered during the first week. Laser therapy supports healing by:
- Increasing circulation
- Reducing inflammatory mediators
- Enhancing cellular ATP production
- Supporting organised tissue repair
The difference over seven days was significant:
✔ Swelling reduced considerably
✔ Pain levels improved steadily
✔ Weight-bearing felt more stable
✔ Mobility returned faster than expected
In addition, I spent several hours using our Hydroxy therapy system. This technology helps reduce oxidative stress and supports recovery by decreasing free radical activity in the body. While not a standalone treatment, it complements acute injury management by supporting systemic recovery.
Together, these interventions helped optimise the inflammatory phase rather than simply suppress it.
15 Years of Experience Reinforced
This injury reinforced something we tell our patients every day: don’t ignore an ankle sprain.
The first few days shape the entire recovery journey. With the right diagnosis, appropriate loading, supportive therapies and a coordinated team approach, healing can be smoother and faster than expected.
This month marks 15 years of Medipod Clinics, and this experience reminded me why that milestone matters. Behind every treatment plan is a team — clinicians, therapists and reception staff — working together to deliver the best possible care. I was fortunate to experience that care firsthand.
If you’ve recently injured your ankle, let us assess it properly. Small injuries can become long-term problems when overlooked — but with the right care, they don’t have to.
After 15 years of treating ankles, one thing remains true: early action and great teamwork change outcomes. From the bottom of my heart “Thank you Team”.
Also, I am thanking you for reading this month’s blog: “15 Years of Treating Ankles… and This Month Mine Needed the Team”.
Take care,
Faye Vogiatzoglou
Clinical Director, Medipod Clinics
