Sports injuries are frequently associated with ankle problems. But anybody may twist their ankle and harm it; you don’t even need to be an athlete or “weekend warrior.” A painful, incapacitating sprain can be brought on by anything as easy as walking on an uneven surface. Anyone, regardless of age, can sustain an ankle injury. In contrast to women over the age of 30, who have greater rates than males, men between the ages of 15 and 24 had higher rates of ankle sprain. Athletes account for 50 percent of ankle sprains. Ankle sprains occur in 25,000 persons each day in the United States. And due to ankle injuries, over a million individuals visit emergency rooms annually. Sprains and fractures, which affect the ligaments and bones of the ankle, are the most frequent types of ankle injuries. However, a tendon can also be torn or strained.
kinds of ankle injuries
The type of tissue damaged—bone, ligament, or tendon—defines an ankle injury. Three bones, the talus of your foot, the fibula and tibia of your lower leg, connect at the ankle. Ligaments, which are strong, elastic bands of connective tissue that hold the bones together at the ankle joint while allowing for normal ankle mobility, hold these bones together. Tendons assist maintain joint stability by connecting muscles to bones so that they may move the ankle and foot. A break in one or more of the bones is referred to as a fracture. The term “sprain” refers to ligament injury when they are stretched past their usual range of motion. A ligament sprain can vary from several tiny rips in the ligament’s fibers to a rupture or complete tear. Damage to muscles and tendons as a result of being pushed or stretched too far is referred to as a strain. Strains of muscles and tendons are more frequent in the lower back and legs. Two tendons in the ankle are frequently stretched. The peroneal tendons serve to support and safeguard the ankle. They may swell up as a consequence of trauma or misuse. A sudden stress or force causes acute tendon tears. Tendinitis is the medical term for an inflamed tendon. Tendinosis is a disorder caused by microscopic tendon rips that build up over time by being overstretched frequently and don’t heal correctly. Tendons may rupture as well. A tendon that slides out of position is referred to as a subluxation.
Causes of Ankle Injuries
When the ankle joint is twisted too far from its natural position, an ankle injury happens. The majority of ankle injuries happen either while participating in sports or when walking on an uneven terrain, which pushes the foot and ankle into an uncomfortable position. An additional risk that may cause ankle injuries is the unusual posture of the ankle when wearing high heels or when wearing shaky, loose-fitting clogs or sandals while walking. In addition to wearing poor footwear, the following other factors might cause an ankle injury:
- Tripping or falling
- Landing awkwardly after a jump
- Walking or running on uneven surfaces
- A sudden impact such as a car crash
- Twisting or rotating the ankle
- Rolling the ankle
symptoms for Different Ankle Injuries
There are many similarities between the signs of a fracture and a sprain. In truth, sprains and fractures can occasionally be confused. Therefore, it’s critical to get medical attention for an ankle injury as soon as possible. Indicators include:
- Pain, often sudden and severe
- Swelling
- Bruising
- Inability to walk or bear weight on the injured joint
The ankle may also be stiff after a sprain. A fracture will make the region painful to the touch, and the ankle may also appear misaligned or misshapen. The swelling and discomfort may be minimal in cases of minor sprains. However, a serious sprain usually results in significant swelling and extreme discomfort.
Pain and swelling are brought on by tendinitis and acute peroneal tendon tears. With tendinitis, the ankle region will also feel heated to the touch. The foot and ankle will be weak or unstable if there is an acute tear. Tendinosis may take years to develop. Symptoms include:
- Sporadic pain on the outside of the ankle
- Weakness or instability in the ankle
- An increase in the height of the foot’s arch
You may have weakness or ankle instability with the subluxation. A “snapping” sensation around the ankle bone and occasional soreness behind the outer ankle bone are other potential symptoms.
treatment
R.I.C.E. stands for rest, ice, compression, and elevation, and it may be used to administer first aid for an ankle injury.
- Rest. Resting the ankle is crucial to limiting additional injury and keeping weight off of it.
- Ice. A numbing effect brought on by using ice will assist halt or minimize swelling and lessen pain. In order to prevent frostbite, proper icing calls for using ice within 48 hours after an injury and never leaving it on for more than 15 to 20 minutes at a time. To enable tissues to regain their normal temperature and sensibility, wait 40 to 45 minutes before applying ice once again. Repeat as necessary. Use a layer of towel between your skin and the plastic bag and apply an ice compress to your ankle using a plastic freezer bag packed with ice cubes and water. You can also use a frozen bag of vegetables like corn or peas (don’t consume them after using them; just refreeze them).
- Compression. The wounded ankle can be kept immobile and supported by wrapping it in an elastic bandage or compression wrap that is readily available. Avoid wrapping the ankle too firmly. The wrap is too tight if your toes turn blue, get chilly, or lose feeling.
- Elevate. Reduce swelling and discomfort by raising the damaged ankle to at least your heart level.
It is crucial to avoid putting any weight on the ankle until a doctor has examined it, which should happen as quickly as possible. Untreated fractures and sprains can result in long-term chronic issues with the ankle, such as recurrent injury, ankle weakness, and arthritis.
doctor diagnose
A doctor will initially inquire as to the circumstances surrounding the accident. The doctor will then check the ankle and note how much swelling and bruising there is. Because the doctor must move the ankle to assess the pain and swelling in order to make a good diagnosis, the physical examination of the ankle may be uncomfortable. To check for any shattered bones, the doctor could ask for an ankle X-ray. Your doctor could order X-rays of the leg and foot in addition to an ankle X-ray to check for any potential further injuries. If a stress fracture is suspected, a doctor may order additional imaging tests, such as an MRI, which will provide more specific information on the injury. A stress test, which is a unique X-ray obtained while pressure is being applied to the joint, may also be requested by the doctor if there is a fracture. This will aid the physician in deciding whether surgery is required. Pain is often managed for ankle injuries by using an over-the-counter pain reliever such acetaminophen or another nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medicine like ibuprofen. Depending on the type of damage, different injuries require different treatments.
fractures treatment
Both surgical and nonsurgical methods of treating fractures are available. If just one bone is fractured, the bones are not misaligned, and the ankle is stable, the doctor may choose to treat the break without surgery by immobilizing the ankle. Usually, the doctor will accomplish this by applying a cast or a brace that serves as a splint. Surgery will be used to treat the fracture if the ankle is unstable. A metal plate and screws are frequently used to keep the bones in place and stabilize the ankle. After surgery, the ankle is kept safe with a splint until the swelling subsides, at which point a cast is applied. The bones typically recover in at least 6 weeks. For the ankle to heal properly and the bones to align, your doctor would likely advise you to avoid putting any weight on it during that period. After a broken bone has entirely healed, ligaments and tendons may take longer to recover. Even while most people may return to their regular daily activities within 3 to 4 months following an ankle fracture, it can take up to 2 years to fully restore full mobility and strength. You could require physical therapy to give gait training, balancing, strengthening, and mobility exercises if the doctor determines it is safe for you to begin moving your ankle. Your therapist will create a home program you may utilize to go back to your prior level of functionality. Returning to a regular walking pattern without limping might take several months.
treatment of ankle sprains
The degree of the injury determines the course of therapy for sprains. A scale from mild to severe is used to categories them. Surgery is often not a therapy option until the injury is severe, affects more than just the ligaments, or when other methods have failed. The RICE method is used to treat grade 1 mild sprains for a number of days until the pain and swelling subside. You won’t require a cast or a splint for a minor sprain. If you can bear it, your doctor will advise you to put weight on the ankle within one to three days and will also give you range-of-motion, stretching, and strengthening exercises. The doctor will still employ the RICE method but give your sprain additional time to heal if it is grade 2, or moderate. In order to immobilize the ankle, the doctor may also employ a device like a boot or splint. Before stretching and strengthening the ankle, exercises to increase range of motion will be offered to you. To help you regain full use of your ankle, the doctor can also advise physical therapy. A complete tear or rupture of a ligament results in a grade 3 or severe sprain, which takes much longer to recover. Physical therapy for a longer length of time is used to treat it, focusing on strengthening, stretching, and joint immobility. On occasion, surgery may be thought about to repair the damaged ligaments, especially if the sprain does not heal in a fair amount of time. Typically, the first week of a sprain is spent resting and guarding the ankle until the swelling subsides. After that, you should exercise for one to two weeks to regain your range of motion, strength, and flexibility. While you continue to exercise, it may take many more weeks or perhaps several months to gradually return to your usual activities.
treatment of tendon injuries
Options for treating tendon injuries are similar to options for treating sprains. They include:
- Immobilization using a cast or splint
- Oral or injected anti-inflammatory drugs to reduce pain
- Physical therapy for range of motion, strength, and balance
- A brace to provide support during activities
- Surgery to repair the tendon or tendons and sometimes to repair the supporting structures of the foot
Stay Fit 