Although often ignored, ankles are critical parts of human legs as they enable you to move around and maneuver complex movements with ease. However, it also makes ankles highly prone to injuries that can often be severe in nature.
Nonetheless, with an ankle specialist in Maryville, IL, you can get your ankle treated for common as well as complex injuries. However, knowing about different ankle injuries, their symptoms, and preferred first aid treatment can help you handle the situation correctly.
Understanding common ankle injuries
The ankle bones and the end of the lower leg bones make your ankle joints. It has ligaments that connect the bones and muscles and tendons that move the joints.
Ankles can get hurt due to sudden and jerky movements, such as those in sports, or due to imbalance while landing the foot. Sprains and fractures are the two most common ankle injuries. While a sprain can affect the tendons, muscles, or ligaments, a fracture affects the bone.
Causes and symptoms of ankle injuries
An ankle injury is the result of twisting the ankle joint far too out from its normal position. Therefore, most ankle injuries occur during a sporting activity or walking on an uneven surface, causing the ankle to twist in an unnatural position.
Following are some common causes of ankle sprains and fractures.
- Walking in unstable or loose-fit footwear
- Tripping or falling
- Landing your foot awkwardly while running or jumping
- Running or walking on an uneven surface
- A sudden impact due to an accident
- Rotating or twisting the ankle
- Rolling the ankle
With a sprain, your ankle may be stiff, whereas with a fracture, the area will be tender to touch. However, the signs of sprains and fractures are very similar, which is why it’s essential to consult your doctor in case of an ankle injury. Nonetheless, here are the common signs of an ankle injury.
- A sudden and severe pain in the ankle area
- Swelling in the affected area
- Sometimes, you may notice bruising at the site
- Inability to walk properly
- Inability to bear weight on the injured ankle
Apart from the above, tendinitis is another injury that is caused due to acute tears in the peroneal tendon. It can cause pain and swelling, and the affected area will feel warm to the touch. Whereas a similar chronic condition with a breakdown of collagen fibers in the tendon can lead to tendinosis, the symptoms of the same are as follows.
- Feeling sporadic pain on the outer side of the affected ankle
- Weakened and insatiable ankle
- Increased height of the foot arch
First aid after an ankle injury
If you or someone you know experiences an ankle injury, then the following first aid treatment is very beneficial.
- Rest: Stop physical activities that involve the use of your affected ankle and have enough rest to prevent further damage.
- Ice: Using ice can help you slow down the swelling or even reduce it and give you a numbing sensation that’ll ease the pain. Properly apply icing during the first 48 hours of the injury. Each session must be 40-45 minutes apart and make sure that you don’t leave ice on for more than 15-20 minutes.
- Compression: Make sure to compress the affected ankle with an elastic bandage or a compression wrap, as it’ll help immobilize the ankle and provide the necessary support. However, make sure that the wrap isn’t too tight, as it can cause your toes to turn blue, lose sensation, or get cold.
- Elevate: Elevating the affected ankle above the level of your heart will slow down the flow of blood to the injured area, which will reduce the pain and swelling.
Final thoughts
As soon as you get the first aid, you must rush to the doctor so that they can run a detailed diagnosis to identify the nature of the injury and begin the suitable treatment. While most injuries can be treated by immobilizing the ankle, injuries like a severe fracture in bone or a torn ligament or tendon may require surgeries. So, it’s always recommended to choose a professional and experienced ankle specialist.