The Squat Test

Training-Room Tips: Tests for Ankle Injury Readiness

Pat Aitken

Your athlete has gone over on an ankle, but is raring to get off the bench and back into the action. Is your player really ready to go back in?

The Toe Raise Test

Of course, the only safe way to know is to take your doctor or trainer's advice. But if that advice isn't available, here are two ways to estimate your injured athlete's ankle readiness.

The Squat Test
If players cannot squat because of pain or can't easily rise from a squat, they probably aren't ready to play.

The Toe Raise Test
If athletes can't perform five one-legged toe raises using the affected foot, they're probably not ready to go back into the game.

References:
1. David W. Barton (MD), “Pearls: Is this ankle ready for action?” The Physician and Sportsmedicine, August 1995.
2. Mark D. Bracker. The 5-Minute Sports Medecine Consult (2nd & Kindle Edition), Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, 2012.
3. Aaron Rubin (MD), “Pearls: Expedite ankle evaluation.” The Physician and Sportsmedicine, January 1996.

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