Ankle Injuries Specialist

What causes ankle injuries?

The ankle is the joint that connects the foot to the leg. Your ankle gives your foot flexibility and helps stabilize your steps. The ankle consists of bones, ligaments, tendons, and muscles. When this complex system is damaged, it causes instability of the foot and makes the ankle vulnerable to recurrent injuries.

Ankle injuries happen when the bones and tissues of the joint are abnormally forced, stretched, twisted, or inflamed. Potential causes of ankle injury include:

• Fracture
• Trauma
• Arthritis
• Osteoarthritis
• Osteoporosis
• Gout
• Infection
• Strains
• Sprains
• Foot and leg injuries

Sports, obesity, diabetes, stress, and advanced age can increase your risk of ankle injuries. Ankle injuries can lead to secondary problems, such as nerve damage, altered mobility, tendonitis, and chronic pain.

What is the most common type of ankle injury?

The most common type of ankle injury is an ankle sprain. An ankle sprain happens when the ligaments and tendons of the ankle joint are overextended or forcefully stretched beyond healthy limits.

An ankle sprain causes small tears in the tissue of the ankle, which causes inflammation, swelling, and pain. In most cases, treatment of sprains includes rest, ice, and immobilization.  

They usually heal without much treatment, but repeated sprains can cause the joint to be chronically unstable and predispose the ankle to recurrent sprains and other injuries.

What are the symptoms of ankle injuries?

Ankle injuries can be painful, and may cause:

• Ankle instability
• Difficulty walking or standing
• Inability to bear weight
• Swelling
• Stiffness
• Tenderness and warmth in joint
• Discoloration, such as redness or bruising

If you have an ankle injury, it is important that you seek treatment to avoid long-term complications that may further impact your mobility and level of pain.

What are treatments for ankle injuries?

Ankle injury treatment at Premier Foot & Ankle focuses on relieving pain and helping restore full mobility to your ankle joint. Your plan of care may include a combination of treatments, including:

• Rest
• Immobilization
• Elevation
• Ice therapy
• Pain medication
• Brace or cast
• Steroid injections
• Anti-inflammatory medications
• Physical therapy
• Custom orthotics

Advanced treatments may include:

• Extracorporeal Pulse Activation Technology (EPAT®)
• PodiaTherm™ radiofrequency therapy
• Multiwave locked system (MLS) laser therapy
• Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy

In some cases, surgical repair of the bones, ligaments, tendons, or muscles of the ankle may be your best option. The Premier Foot & Ankle podiatry team is highly skilled and experienced to offer the most advanced, up-to-date treatment plans that ensure full recovery from your ankle injury.

For an expert consultation regarding your ankle injury, call or schedule an appointment online with Premier Foot & Ankle today.