Rehabilitation and return to play after foot and ankle injuries in athletes.

Rehabilitation after acute ankle injury can be categorized in to early, middle, and late phases. This paper aims to cover some of the key concepts from initial management to end stage rehabilitation that could be applied to many musculoskeletal injuries around the foot and ankle. Pathology specific rehabilitation, functional performance tests, and sports specific and return to play issues are also addressed, as the aim of any rehabilitation programme is to return the athlete to the field of play as quickly as it is safe to do so.