Ankle

To think only those individuals who engage in intense sports are susceptible to foot and ankle injury is a gross misconception.

If truth be told, most people have (and will most likely) experience foot and ankle injury at one point in their lives or another.

While most movements will not result to injuries, some symptoms can be attributed to everyday wear and tear as well as overuse.

In majority of the cases, injuries of the foot and ankle often occur during:

• Sports or recreational activities
• Chores or projects done at home
• Chores that are work-related

Soccer and basketball players, gymnasts, and dancers are highly susceptible to foot and ankle injuries as opposed to those who are not engaged in the fields as physically challenging and competitive.

For older adults, osteopenia (loss of bone strength) and muscle mass will often predispose them to injuries and fractures. Vision and balance problems will also significantly increase their injury risk.

Foot and ankle injuries in children can often be attributed to falls, sports, and play. Those that sustain bone injuries near the joint will have to be assessed accordingly as the physis (grown plate) might be compromised.

Fortunately, minor cases of foot and ankle injuries will often respond well to home treatments.

However, acute injuries that resulted from jamming, bending, fall, twisting, direct blows, etc. will require immediate medical attention.

This is especially true when bruising and swelling will manifest.

Other conditions that will need instant medical attention include:

Sprains

Sprains that are persistent are sometimes attributed to a condition known as osteochondritis dissecans. To play safe, it would be best to check with a doctor right away so the condition is resolved before it complicates.

Puncture wounds

Sharp objects like needles, nails, tacks, and knives often cause puncture wounds. Sans treatment and medical attention, puncture wounds can result to infections.

Strains

Pulled muscles in the ankle or foot can be subjected to strains. In worse case scenarios, it can lead to ruptures.

Contusions

In some instances, contusions or bruising can occur during foot and ankle injuries. To ensure your safety and to ease any pain you might experience, consider seeing the doctor a must.

Thankfully, there is no shortage of treatment options available for foot and ankle injuries—physical therapy, first aid measures (brace, splint, and cast), special shoes (with orthotic devices), medications, etc.

The treatment option administered will depend on certain key factors including the following:

• The severity, location, and type of the injury
• When the injury occurred
• The patient’s overall condition
• The patient’s activities (sports, hobbies, work, etc.)
• The patient’s age

For cases of minor foot and ankle injuries, the following treatment tips can help effectively reduce stiffness and swelling and ease pain:

• To reduce swelling, it is advisable that patients should avoid activities that can cause more swelling—alcoholic beverages, hot packs, hot tubs, and hot showers—at least for the first 48 hours after the injury,
• Massage or gently rub the injured area to reduce pain and encourage blood flow. However, it is not advisable to massage the injured area when the patient feels pain.
• Once the swelling is reduced or disappears, patients are encouraged to perform gentle exercises to help restore flexibility. Alternating between heat and cold treatments is also often recommended.
• Gentle movement, strength, and alternate (MSA) exercises are also recommended to help hasten the healing process.

Movement

After the injury, regaining full motion range is always a top priority. After the injured area has been rested for 24 to 48 hours, moving it gradually is encouraged, stopping only when pain is experienced. To ensure formation of scar tissue is prevented, gentle exercises are also prescribed.

Strength

When there’s no more swelling and the movement range has been restored, the next immediate goal would be to strengthen the area injured.

Alternate activities

While healing, it is advised that certain activities and exercises are incorporated in the daily routine. This is especially advisable a few days after the injury occurred. However, it is advisable that the activities integrated will not put strain on the area injured.

While not all foot and ankle injuries are a cause for worry, it is still recommended to get help from competent experts from www.bjios.sg to ensure the condition will not complicate or worsen.

Many people at one point or another will experience foot and ankle injury.

In majority of the cases, foot and ankle injuries are not attributed to the typical body movements.

Rather, they are often attributed to both overuse and everyday wear and tear.

A foot and ankle injury can often occur during:

• Works and projects done at home
• Performance of work-related tasks
• Sports or recreational activities

In children, foot and ankle injuries often occur during play or while engaged in sports.

It can also be the result of falls.

In most cases, injury risks are way higher for those engaged in sports that require drastic direction changes and jumping (i.e. soccer, football, and jumping).

Certain athletes like dancers, gymnasts, and soccer and basketball players are more susceptible to foot and ankle injuries.

Older adults become more susceptible to foot and ankle injuries and fractures because they have tendency to already lose muscle mass and bone strength (osteopenia) as they age.

They are also likely to have balance and vision problems—two factors that can significantly increase their risk for injuries.

Fortunately, minor injuries will often heal on their own.

Oftentimes, home remedies would be able to heal the injury and relieve the symptoms.

Acute/sudden injuries

Injuries of this type can result from direct blows, penetrations injuries, and falls.

It can also be attributed to jamming, twisting, jerking, or abnormal limb bending.

Pain associated with these types of injuries are often sudden and severe.

Bruising and swelling will also likely to manifest after the injury.

Some of the most common foot and ankle injuries include:

• Sprains – if the condition will not heal despite treatment, it can be a clear manifestation of another condition known as osteochondritis dissecans.
• Pulled muscles or strains – muscles of the foot and ankle can be strained. At times, it may even rupture.
• Tendon injuries – conditions like Achilles tendinitis can occur when the tendons in the heels will rupture.
• Contusions – bruising brought about by ankle injuries can sometimes extend to the toes.

Overuse injuries

Overuse injuries often occur when the joint (and other tissues) are subjected to too much stress and strain.

The strain and stress can be attributed to overdoing of an activity or repetition.

Some of the most common overuse injuries are:

• Retrocalcaneal bursitis – when the bursa is inflamed, this condition occurs. This condition can also result to swelling of the heel and the back of the ankle and tenderness.
• Plantar fasciitis – this condition occurs when the plantar fascia (the flat and broad ligament situated at the bottom of the foot) becomes inflamed.

Prevention

To ensure foot and ankle injuries are avoided, keep the following beneficial pointers in mind:

• Change the running shoes often. Experts recommend buying and using a new pair at least every 3 months or after 500 miles of wear.
• Wear the right footwear. Choose shoes that is not only comfortable but will also offer good support.
• Observe proper training. When exercising, it is recommended that ankle, foot, and leg stretches are done before and after exercising. Sprinting excessively should also be avoided.
• Avoid overusing the foot or the ankle. Repeated movements can sometimes result to injury to the bursa or the tendons.
• Wear supportive brace. Wrapping the foot or ankle during exercises or activities can also significantly reduce injury risks.
• Get rid of excess pounds. Getting rid of the extra weight can dramatically lessen the strain and stress on the ankle and foot.
• Wearing the right athletic footwear. When purchasing shoes, opt for ones that offer good arch support and those that come with cushioned soles. It would also be a good idea to check with an orthopedist, podiatrist, or a sports medicine professional so you will be guided on the best pair to invest in.

In some cases, you can get foot and ankle injuries however careful you may be. To ensure, the condition is attended to accordingly, ensure you are getting expert help from the competent specialists at www.bjios.sg.