Ankle injury: causes and treatments

Ankle injury: causes and treatments

Ankle injuries are often considered as sports injuries. But you do not have to be an athlete or even a "weekend warrior" to transform your ankle and damage. Something as simple as walking on an uneven surface can cause a painful and disabling sprain.

Ankle injuries can happen to everyone at any age. However, men between 15 and 24 have higher rates of ankle sprain compared to women over 30 years who have higher rates than men. Half of the ankle sprains occur during a sporting activity. Every day in the United States, 25,000 people sprained ankle. And more than 1 million people visit emergency rooms each year because of ankle injuries. The most common injuries are ankle sprains and fractures, involving ligaments and ankle bones. But it can also tear or strain a tendon.

What kind of ankle injuries there?

Sprains, strains and fractures

Ankle injuries are defined by the type of tissue - bone, ligament or tendon - that is damaged. The ankle is where three bones: the tibia and the fibula of the leg with the talus of the foot. These bones are held together in the ankle joint by ligaments that are solid elastic connective tissue that hold the bones in place while allowing normal ankle motion. The tendons connect the muscles to the bones to do the work to make the ankle and foot move, and help to keep the joints stable.

A fracture describes a pause in one or more bones. A sprain is the term that describes damage to the ligaments when it is stretched beyond its normal range of motion. A sprained ligament may vary from many microscopic tears in the fibers including the ligament to tear or break completely. A strain refers to damage to the muscles and tendons as a result of being pulled or stretched too far.

Strains of the muscles and tendons are more common in the legs and lower back. The ankle, two tendons often tense. These are the peroneal tendons, and stabilize and protect the ankle. They may swell due to excessive use, or injury. Acute tendon tears are the result of sudden trauma or force. Inflammation of a tendon is called tendinitis. Tendon microscopic tears that accumulate over time because it expands several times, and do not heal properly lead to a condition called tendinitis. They can also be broken. Subluxation refers to a tendon that slips out of place.

What causes ankle injuries?

An ankle injury occurs when the ankle joint is twisted too far from its normal position. Most ankle injuries occur during sports activities or walking on an uneven surface that forces the foot and ankle in an unnatural position. The natural position of the high-heeled ankle or walking in hoofs or unstable and loose sandals is also a factor that can contribute to the ankle injuries. Besides the use of defective shoes, ankle injury can occur as a result of:

Stumble or fall

Landed left after a jump

Walking or running on uneven surfaces

A sudden impact like a car accident

Twisting or twisting the ankle

The bearing pin

Are there any different signs for different ankle injuries?

The symptoms of a sprain and a fracture are very similar. In fact, fractures can sometimes be confused with sprains. This is why it is important to have an ankle injury evaluated by a doctor as soon as possible. Signs include:

Pain, often sudden and severe

swelling

blue

Or inability to walk carry the weight on the injured joint

With a sprain, the ankle can also be stiff. With a fracture area will be sensitive to the touch, and the ankle it may also appear distorted or misplaced.

If the sprain is mild, the swelling and pain may be mild. But with a serious sprain, there is a lot of swelling and pain is usually intense.

Tendonitis and acute peroneal tendon tears give rise to pain and swelling. In addition, the area of ​​the ankle will feel warm to the touch with tendinitis. With an acute tear, there will be weakness or instability in the foot and ankle.

Tendonitis can take years to develop. Symptoms include:

Sporadic pain in the outside of the ankle

The weakness or instability in the ankle

An increase in the height of the arch of the foot

With subluxation, you will notice the instability or weakness of the ankle. You may also notice an occasional pain behind the ankle bone on the outside and a feeling of "breaking" around the ankle bone.

What should someone do after an ankle injury?

It may be first aid requested an injury to the ankle memory R.I.C.E: rest, ice, compression, elevation.

Rest. It is important to rest from the ankle to avoid further damage and maintain the weight there.

Ice. Using retarded ice assist or reduce swelling and give a sense of anesthesia relieve pain. Adequate ice formation includes icing within 48 hours of an injury, never leave the ice for more than 15 minutes to 20 minutes at a time to avoid freezing. Wait 40 minutes to 45 minutes before applying the ice again to allow the tissues to return to normal temperature and feeling, and repeat as needed. You can apply ice cream with a freezer plastic bag filled with ice cubes and water to mold the ankle or use a frozen vegetables such as bag of corn or peas (do not eat after use and refreeze) A Layer of towel between the skin and the plastic bag.

Compression. Wrapping the ankle injury with an elastic bandage or compression film, will help to keep it immobile and supported. Be careful not to wrap the ankle too hard. If the toes become blue, chilled or lose the feeling that the package is too tight.

Raise. Raising the injured ankle at least to the level of your heart will reduce swelling and pain.

It is important not to put any weight on the ankle until it has been assessed by a doctor, which should be done as soon as possible. Fractures and strains that are ignored or not treated properly can lead to long-term chronic problems with the ankle, such as repeated injuries, ankle weakness and arthritis.

How does the doctor diagnose an ankle injury?

The first thing a doctor will do is ask about how the injury has occurred. The doctor will then examine your ankle, noting the amount of swelling and bruising. Physical examination of the ankle can be painful because the doctor needs to move the ankle to evaluate the pain and swelling in order to make a good diagnosis.

Your doctor may order an X-ray ankle to check for broken bones. In addition to an X-ray ankle, your doctor may order X-rays from your leg and foot to determine if there are other related injuries. If the doctor suspects a stress fracture, the doctor will ask for more imaging tests such as MRI, which show details of the injury. If there is a fracture, the doctor can also order a stress test, which is a special x-ray taken with the pressure applied to the joint. This will help the doctor determine if surgery is needed.

For most ankle injuries, pain is controlled by the use of a non-prescription drug such as acetaminophen or other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs like ibuprofen. A specific treatment of the lesion depends on the type of injury.

Treatment of Fractures

Fractures can be treated surgically or non-surgically. The doctor can treat the rupture without surgery by immobilizing the ankle if only one bone is broken, and if the bones are not on the spot and the ankle is stable. Usually the doctor will do this by putting on a device that acts as a splint or put in a plaster. If the ankle is unstable, the fracture will be treated surgically. Often the ankle is made stable using a metal plate and screws to hold the bones in place. After the surgery, the ankle is protected by a splint until the swelling decreases then with a cast.

It usually takes at least six weeks for the bone to heal. Your doctor will probably ask you to maintain the ankle weight during this time for the bones to heal in a proper alignment. Ligaments and tendons may take longer to heal after it has been completely repaired a fracture. It can take up to two years to completely recover pain without pain and strength after an ankle fracture, although most people are able to resume their normal daily routine within three to four months.

After the doctor has determined that he is sure that you are starting to move your ankle, you may need physical therapy to provide training gait, balance exercises, strength and mobility. The therapist will develop a home program that you can use to recover its previous normal function. It may take several months to return to a normal walking pattern without limping.

Treatment of Entorses

The treatment of strains depends on the severity of the injury. They are classified as mild, moderate or severe. Surgery is usually not a treatment option unless the damage is significant, involving more ligaments or when other treatment options fail.

Benign sprains, called grade 1, treated with the RICE method for several days until pain and improve inflammation. With a slight sprain, you will not need a splint or a plaster. Your doctor will tell you to put weight on the ankle quite quickly - within one to three days - as long as you can tolerate and prescribed amplitude of movements, stretching and strengthening exercises.

If your sprain is classified as moderate or grade 2, the doctor will use the RICE method but will give more time for healing to occur. The doctor may also use a device such as a starter or splint to immobilize the ankle. You will be given exercises to do first to improve the amplitude of movement and stretch and strengthen the ankle. The doctor may also prescribe a physical treatment to help you regain full use of the ankle.

Grade 3 or severe sprain involves a complete tear or rupture of a ligament and takes much longer to heal. This is the immobilization of the joint followed by longer physical therapy for the range of movement, stretching and strengthening period. Occasionally, especially if the sprain is not cured within a reasonable period of time, it is considered a surgical procedure to rebuild the torn ligaments.

On average, initial treatment of a sprain, including rest and protect the ankle until the swelling goes down for about a week. It is followed by a period of one to two weeks of exercise to restore the amplitude of movement, strength and flexibility. It can take several weeks to months to gradually return to normal activities while continuing to exercise.

Treatment of tendon injuries

Options for treating tendon injuries are similar to options for treating sprains. They understand:

Immobilization plaster or splint

Oral medications or anti-inflammatory injection to reduce pain

Physical therapy for amplitude of movement, strength and balance

A key to providing support during activities

Surgery to repair tendon or tendons and sometimes to repair foot support structures

Can I prevent ankle injuries?

The National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Disorders recommends the following steps to reduce the risk of ankle injury:

Avoid exercise or exercise when you are tired or in pain.

Keep your muscles strong by eating a well balanced diet.

Maintain a healthy weight.

Try not to fall.

Wear shoes that fit well and are appropriate for the activity you are doing.

Do not wear shoes with worn heels on one side.

Exercise every day.

Maintain proper conditioning for all the sports you play.

Heat and stretch before exercising or practicing a sport.

Use the appropriate equipment for all sports to play.

Run on flat surfaces.