Ankle Injury
For most people, pain is the first indication that something is not right with their body. Usually due to an underlying injury, ankle pain refers to any kind of sudden or worsening discomfort affecting any part of the ankle. Anyone of any age can experience ankle pain. This condition is often caused by an accidental fall or a sports injury. It is more common in athletes and active men under the age of 24. In women, ankle pain is more prevalent in those over 30. It can affect one or both of your ankles.
Causes
Ankle pain is most commonly caused by a sprain. A sprain is an injury to the ligaments that connect your bones. This can occur when the ankle is twisted out of its normal position, usually towards the inside of the leg, causing your ligament to overstretch or tear.
Ankle pain can also be caused by a fracture of one of the bones in your ankle. Because the fibula is quite small compared to the tibia, it is the bone that most commonly breaks. Less common causes of ankle pain include arthritis, gout, and infection.
Achilles tendonitis, or overusing the calf muscles at the back of the leg, can also cause ankle pain. This is more common in runners.
Ankle Joint Injury
An ankle joint injury may be due to the soft tissues of a ligament or tendon stretching beyond their capacity, better known as an ankle sprain or strain.
Body Complication
A body complication can be dangerous when it affects everyday nerve, motor and autonomic functions, including the immune system and blood flow.
Symptoms
In addition to pain, an injury to your ankle will usually result in swelling, and sometimes bruising, too. Often, you will not be able to bear any weight on your ankle.
If you notice any of these symptoms and moderate to severe ankle pain, you should stay off of your foot and contact a doctor as soon as possible.
Bone Protrusions
Bone protrusions occur when the broken end of the tibia (shinbone) has torn through the soft tissues and is protruding through the skin.
Instability Of The Affected Area
The human anatomy is structured for balance and movement. When these structures making up the joints weaken, instability of the affected area may occur.
Potential Treatments
Treatment for ankle pain depends on the cause, and whether it is a sprain or fracture.
While treating ankle pain, it is advised that you stay off your foot (with the use of crutches) for a few days or weeks.
When reclining, it’s usually suggested to:
- Elevate your foot.
- Apply ice to your ankle to reduce swelling (up to three times a day).
- Prescribe a compression bandage to reduce swelling.
- Take over-the-counter medications such as ibuprofen to reduce swelling and pain.
- In cases of severe Ankle Injury, surgery may be necessary.
Ankle Arthroscopy
Ankle arthroscopy is a minimally invasive surgical procedure that orthopaedic surgeons use to treat problems in the ankle joint.
Ankle Cheilectomy
An Ankle cheilectomy (bone spur removal) is used to treat anterior ankle impingement resulting from certain injuries such as ankle arthritis.
Foot and Ankle Fracture Repair (ORIF)
Ankle Fracture Repair, or Open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF), is a type of surgery used to stabilize and heal a broken bone.
Minimally Invasive Surgery
In minimally invasive surgery, our doctors use a variety of techniques to operate with less damage to the body than with open surgery.
Syndesmosis Surgery
The most common way the syndesmosis gets hurt is from a twisting or rotational injury to the ankle.
Tendon Transfer Procedures
Tendons are typically transferred in order to restore more normal movement to a foot and ankle that has lost function.
Custom Orthotics
Custom orthotics are specially crafted devices that are patterned based on your individual needs and designed to support and comfort your feet.
Regenerative Medicine Treatments
Regenerative medicine involves the delivery of growth factors to injured joints and tissues to promote the healing process.
