Ankle injuries are very common, and commonly ignored after the initial pain. Sufferers may think that the pain is simply caused by a sprain and that it will go away on its own. The problem is that sprains are often serious, including full tears in the ligament, and there are frequently fractures or small breaks that go undiagnosed due to these patients not being seen by their doctors. Our podiatrist near Arlington, VA, explains more below.
Injury Frequency
Athletes twist, sprain, and break their ankles frequently. This is especially common in people that run or participate in sports like soccer, as there is a lot of pressure exerted on the feet and ankles. Other injuries that are common include tendon overextension and tears.
Common Diagnoses and Symptoms
There are three grades of ankle sprain from one to three:
Grade 1: Stretch or tear of the ligament with slight tenderness.
Grade 2. Incomplete tear with moderate pain and difficulty walking.
Grade 3. Complete tear with bruising and severe pain.
Symptoms of a sprain and fracture can be confused, which is why people ignore the pain and wait for it to go away. These include:
- Tenderness
- Throbbing or aching
- Difficulty walking
- Redness and swelling
Worsening of these symptoms indicate that the sprain or fracture is severe and needs to be treated by our podiatrist.
Complications
Left untreated, fractured or sprained ankles can lead to problems with gait and more frequent injuries down the road. Don't let your ankle injury go untreated; contact our podiatrist to be evaluated as soon as the injury occurs. If you do end up being diagnosed with a sprain, the best treatment methods are rest, ice, compression, and elevation. Stay off your feet as much as possible until the injury has healed and you no longer have difficulty walking.
Call Our Podiatrist near Arlington, VA, Today For More Information!
The information provided in this article is not meant to be medical advice and is for educational purposes only. If you would like to learn more about this and other topics related to podiatry, feel free to contact The Podiatry Center, with convenient podiatry offices located near Arlington, VA, by calling 301.660.8225 or by clicking here.
Reference:
[1]https://www.rushcopley.com/health/physician-articles/varying-degrees-of-ankle-sprains/
