About Ankle Sprains / Fractures
At Hand & Ortho, we understand how painful and frustrating ankle sprains and fractures can be. Ankle sprains occur when the ligaments around your ankle are stretched or torn, while a fracture refers to a break in one or more of the bones in your ankle. Both conditions can cause significant pain, swelling, and difficulty moving your foot. It’s important to address these injuries early to prevent long-term complications.
Causes
There are several common causes of ankle sprains and fractures. These include:
- Twisting or rolling the ankle during physical activities or sports, especially when landing awkwardly or on an uneven surface.
- Falling or tripping that causes you to land in a way that stresses the ankle.
- Direct impact or trauma, such as from a car accident or falling from a height.
- High-impact sports like basketball, soccer, or running, where quick movements and uneven surfaces can put strain on your ankle.
Symptoms
If you’ve injured your ankle, you may experience a range of symptoms, including:
- Pain around the ankle joint, especially when walking or putting weight on it.
- Swelling and bruising around the injured area.
- Difficulty walking or standing, as your ankle may feel unstable or weak.
- Tenderness when touching the affected area.
- In cases of fractures, you may also notice deformity or an inability to move the ankle joint.
Diagnosis
To determine the extent of your injury, we’ll perform a thorough evaluation. This may include:
- A physical examination to assess the pain, swelling, and mobility of your ankle.
- X-rays to check for fractures and determine the severity of the bone injury.
- MRI or ultrasound if we suspect soft tissue damage, like ligament tears or tendon issues.
Treatment
The treatment plan for your ankle injury will depend on its severity. For sprains and fractures, we may recommend the following:
- R.I.C.E. (Rest, Ice, Compression, Elevation) for mild sprains to help reduce swelling and alleviate discomfort.
- Immobilization with a cast or splint for fractures, which will help your bones heal properly.
- Physical therapy to regain strength, flexibility, and range of motion after your injury has healed.
- If your fracture is more severe, we may recommend surgical intervention to realign the bones and ensure proper healing.
- Pain management with medication to help control your discomfort during recovery.
Recovery
Recovery from an ankle sprain or fracture can vary depending on the severity of your injury. Generally, you can expect the following:
- Gradual return to activity once your ankle has healed enough, with clearance from our medical team.
- Physical therapy to strengthen the muscles around your ankle and restore full mobility, which will help prevent future injuries.
- For fractures, recovery typically takes 6 to 12 weeks, depending on the extent of the injury and whether surgery was necessary.
- Follow-up visits to monitor your progress and ensure that your ankle is healing properly.