Harvey R. Danciger, DPM
74-000 Country Club Drive, Suite A-2
Palm Desert, CA 92260
(760) 568-0108

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Posts for tag: ankle sprain

By Dr. Danciger
April 04, 2012
Category: Athletic Injuries
Tags: ankle sprain   Broken Ankle   Fracture  

Most people think that ankle injuries are mainly caused by sport related activities, but that’s not always the case. 25,000 people sprain their ankle every day in the United States and although sports are a huge contributor, there are other causes where a simple misstep can create an injury. Ankle fractures or sprains are the most common ankle injury.  Fractures can happen from tripping, falling, landing awkwardly after a jump and walking on uneven surfaces.  The list could go on, but you probably get the gist of how a fracture can occur. 

An ankle injury is defined by the kind of tissue that is damaged; the bone, ligament, or tendon. To make sense and decipher between the different types of ankle injuries, Dr. Harvey Danciger gives the correct injured ankle terminology for a step or landing gone wrong. 

·         A fracture occurs when there is an actual break in one or more of the bones.

·         A sprain describes the damaged ligaments that are stretched beyond their normal range of motion.

·         A strain refers to the damage done to muscles or tendons that are connected to bones or muscles, which result from being pulled or stretched too far.

·         Muscle strains can occur in two tendons of the ankle which stabilize and protect the ankle from damage. These tendons can become inflamed when overused or from trauma, which can result in tendonitis.

·         Acute tears result from trauma or repetitive activity where tendons can slip out of place, or create a condition called tendonosis from being overstretched.

Since ankle injuries are such a common occurrence, it’s important to keep foot care tips in mind. Use these tips to help lessen your risk of an ankle injury happening to you.

·         Wear supportive shoes. A proper fit shoe that provides your feet with support is critical to protect your ankles while doing any type of physical activity.

·         Spend time stretching your feet. Stretching to warm up your muscles is just as important to be applied on your feet in order to maintain flexibility and strengthen foot muscles as well.

·         Be cautious. Make sure you are aware where your feet are landing and be cautious not to outdo what your body is physically capable of.

Don’t let ankle injuries keep you off your feet! For more information, contact our office today to set up an appointment with Dr. Danciger. Let us help you protect and maintain your ankle and foot health.

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By drdanciger
October 11, 2010
Category: Ankle Pain

Ankle Sprain
Injuries to the ankle are very common especially among highly active individuals but it can happen to anyone. Even simple day to day activities can cause an ankle sprain if too much unexpected force is applied to the foot. Patients often recall taking a wrong a step off a curb and feeling a "pop." One patient said he ran after the mailman and actually heard a "pop" from his leg. So what could that "pop" be?

The ankle joint consists of three important bones, tibia, fibula, and talus, held together by ligaments. The common "popping" sound comes from tearing any one of these ligaments, most commonly the anterior talofibular ligament. This ligament is located on the outside ankle towards the front of the foot. Sometimes, this injury is overlooked because people are still able to walk on it. Some swelling, bruising, and pain may be noted at the ankle and are key indicators of an underlying injury.

It is important to know when this type of injury requires medical attention. For the most part, common ankle sprains can be alleviated by the acronym "RICE." Resting the injured foot by limiting motion until the swelling goes down; icing the area with a bag of frozen vegetables or ice pack, compression such as a fabric bandage wrapped around the ankle, and elevating the foot will help the swelling to go down too. Taking over the counter pain medicines should help with some of the discomfort.

However, if there is a break in the skin and bone appears to be protruding through the skin, or new bumps appear in the skin, seek care immediately. Other signs that require emergent care includes the inability to walk a few steps, unbearable pain, and if the color of your foot turns dusky and pale. These may be signs that a bone has been broken and healing prognosis is better with early detection.

If in doubt, seek professional advice from your podiatrist. They may want you to come into the office and run additional tests if necessary. Some tests they may order includes evaluating that the nerves and arteries are in-tact, x-rays to see if bones are injured, ultrasonography to evaluate the ligaments, and sometimes CT scans. The physician may also order crutches and/or apply a brace to help your ankle heal properly.

There are many things you can do to prevent future injuries. Strengthening exercises can be recommended by a physical therapist. Proper shoes that provide ankle stability are helpful, such as high top tennis shoes. However, high heeled shoes actually put the ankle in an unstable position so are best avoided to avoid ankle injuries.

Surgery is uncommon for this type of injury but may be indicated if the ankle does not heal with conservative treatment. Good news is that the majority of ankle sprains will not require any surgery and will benefit with strengthening exercises to prevent future injuries. These preventive measures can be discussed with your podiatrist.

 

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