Teesside Ankle Physiotherapy

03/09/2026

The Ultimate Test for Ankle Sprains: The Lateral Hop Test ⚽⚠️If you’re planning to get back to sport after an ankle sprain, straight-line jogging isn’t enough of a test. Most re-injuries happen when you have to cut, twist, or change direction quickly.That’s where this lateral hop test comes in. It forces the ankle to absorb impact and rapidly push off again, exactly like it has to do in a game.But it’s not just a strength test—it’s a test of your proprioception (your brain's built-in balance radar). When you sprain an ankle, you damage those sensory nerves. If your ankle can't react instantly to the ground, it throws off the whole kinetic chain. Your knee and hip higher up the leg have to work overtime to keep you upright, which is how secondary injuries happen.Before returning to play, look for:✔️ Sharp reflexes and total control on landing✔️ No hesitation or wobbling through the leg✔️ Matching performance compared to your good side. Discrepancies can be addressed with a targetted physiotherapy programme. Let's get it tested properly so you can play with confidence. Message to book your rehab assessment

24/08/2026

15/08/2026

Why are some ankle fractures worse than others? Think of your ankle joint as a simple hinge. When a break disrupts that hinge and harms its stability, there is more concern about how the ankle will work in the long run.

🦴 The ankle is a hinge joint.
⚖️ It needs balance to move well.
✅ A stable break keeps the joint lined up.
⚠️ An unstable break ruins the hinge shape.

Doctors use the Weber Classification to group breaks by where the fibula bone breaks:
🔹 Weber A: Break is below the joint. The hinge usually stays stable. Surgery is rarely needed.
🔸 Weber B: Break is at the level of the joint. The hinge may or may not be stable. Doctors check closely to see if surgery is needed.
🔺 Weber C: Break is above the joint. The hinge is unstable. These usually need surgery to fix the bone and ligaments.

💥 Unstable Weber B and C breaks pull the joint apart.
🛠️ Surgery puts the bones back in the right spot.
🛡️ Fixing the hinge early stops long-term pain and arthritis.

💪 Physiotherapy actively maximises your recovery potential after ankle fracture.
🏋️ Helps you get your strength back
🔄 It helps you move your foot smoothly again.
🚶 It gets you back to your daily life safely.

Here at Teesside Ankle Physiotherapy I have 25 year experience treating people with ankle fractures (from the 'bad ones' to the not so 'bad ones')...drop me a message if you need help with yours.

03/08/2026

Did you know the title “Physiotherapist” is protected by law in the UK?

Anyone practicing under the title of Physiotherapist must;

✔️ Hold a recognised physiotherapy qualification (minimum degree level)
✔️ Be registered with the Health & Care Professions Council (HCPC)
✔️ Meet strict professional and clinical standards

This ensures that patients are receiving treatment from someone who is fully trained, qualified and regulated.

There are many other professionals working in areas like sports therapy, massage and rehabilitation, provide great services — but they are not physiotherapists unless they are HCPC registered.

If you’re ever unsure, you can easily check whether someone is a registered physiotherapist using the HCPC online register.

🔎 You can check here:
https://www.hcpc-uk.org/check-the-register/

If you are looking for an accredited foot and ankle expert locally, Philippa Dolphin at Teesside Ankle Physiotherapy is a HCPC registered practitioner you can trust. As well as her BSc (Hons) Physiotherapy, she also holds PG Cert, she is an accredited Advanced Physiotherapy Practitioner and member of the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy.

Online Register to find a paramedic, chiropodist, podiatrist, physiotherapist, psychologist, occupational therapist, dietitian

16/07/2026

16/07/2026

What goes on behind the doors in Teesside Ankle Physiotherapy!

16/07/2026

What goes on behind the doors at Teesside Ankle Physiotherapy?

06/07/2026

💥 Tennis is tough on the ankles! 💥
Tennis is fantastic for your fitness, but the constant pivoting, sliding, and sudden braking place massive demands on your lower limbs.
Here are the top ankle conditions tennis players can suffer from;
Lateral Sprains: Rolling the ankle outwards, damaging the external ligaments.
High Ankle Sprains: Severe twisting injuries can damage the syndesmosis ligaments.
Achilles Tendinopathy: Heel tendon strain from repetitive sprinting and serving.
Peroneal Tendonitis: Pain behind the outer ankle bone from lateral stress.
Plantar Fasciitis: Heel pain caused by baseline pounding.
The good news? All of these can be diagnosed and treated at Teesside Ankle Physiotherapy

17/06/2026

Self-help exercises are great for generalised gains, but they can fail when they do not target your specific injury, movement patterns, or pain triggers. If you are stuck doing the same routine and seeing limited progress, it is time to change your approach. You need a personalised rehab plan designed specifically for your body and your goals. Stop guessing, stop wasting time, and let’s fix the root cause together!

09/06/2026

It’s pretty unusual for a physio to specialise in just the foot and ankle. Focusing on one area gives me the luxury of really drilling into the finer details of how the foot and ankle works, and what can go wrong. I’ve had a great day today listening to top surgeons discuss the latest developments in managing foot and ankle arthritis. It was also brilliant to chat about how physiotherapy fits into the patient journey and how we can best support people through it. Always learning, always bringing the best back to my patients! 🦶