Orthopaedic Specialists of North Carolina  

11200 Governor Manly Way, Suite 309, Raleigh 27614
Phone 919-562-9410
   
Fax   919-488-5659  
   
Volleyball/Basketball  Return  to  Play  Protocol-­‐Ankle  Sprain  
 
1. PRE  ankle  and  balance  exercises,  integrating  proprioception.  
a. 4-­‐way  ankle  with  resistance  bands  
b. Single-­‐leg  balance  (flat  ground,  airex)  
c. BAPS  board  if  ROM  is  lacking  
d. Step-­‐up  on  BOSU  
Before  progressing  to  step  2:  
• No  recurrence  of  signs/symptoms  
• Normal  gait  pattern  
• Equal  ROM  and  strength  bilaterally  (within  90%  contralateral)  
• Adequate  and  pain-­‐free  30  sec  SL  balance  with  eyes  closed  
• No  pain  with  SL  calf  raise  or  hop  in  place  
2. Functional  and  Sports  specific  drills  
a. Straight  ahead  jogging  à  running  
b. Ladder/hurdle  drills  (integrate  cutting,  jumping,  quick  feet)  
c. Sprint  change  of  direction  drills  with  cones  (T,  M,  J  shapes)  
Before  progressing  to  step  3:    
• Adequate  level  of  conditioning  
• Equal  SL  hop  for  distance  (standing  forward  jump,  SL  hop  for  height,  
and  SL  three  hop  test  within  85%)  
• No  pain  with  running  or  cutting  
3. Return  to  play  
a. Non-­‐contact  drills  in  practice  
b. Contact  drills/scrimmage  in  practice  (may  start  with  only  scrimmaging  5  
min  per  quarter,  if  no  s/s,  can  scrimmage  ½,  then  full  game)  
c. Full  go