Although your ankle joint is very small, it can cause a great deal of pain if it is injured! Here at Kentucky/Indiana Foot and Ankle Specialists, our podiatrists see ankle injuries weekly in our office. That small joint is what helps support your entire body weight, so it’s no wonder that it gets injured so often!
Thankfully, most ankle injuries are able to resolve themselves with a little R & R. That doesn’t mean you should skip out on the podiatry visit if you have an ankle injury though - quite the opposite! An untreated ankle injury could turn into a serious problem if left alone and cause problems down the line.
Here are the top five ankle injuries we see at Kentucky/Indiana Foot and Ankle Specialists:
Ankle Sprains - A sprain occurs when the ligaments in your ankle over-stretch or tear. Ligaments are the bands of tissues that connect your bones together. Ankle sprains happen every day, whether it’s by over-extending the joint while playing sports or by twisting it stepping off a curb in the wrong way.
Arthritis - This is one of the most common causes of ankle pain in our older patients, although arthritis can strike anyone at any age. Arthritis occurs when cartilage in your joint breaks down over time, which can lead to the bones in that joint to painfully rub against one another.
Tendonitis - Tendons are the bands that connect muscles to bones. Tendonitis is a soft-tissue injury that occurs when your ankles’ tendons become irritated or inflamed. This most commonly occurs in the Achilles tendon when you’re performing repetitive motions, like sports, dance, or work activities.
Fractures - A bone break can range from mild to severe, but any fracture in the ankle can cause pain and swelling. A broken ankle can involve any of the bones in the ankle joint.
Bursitis - Bursae are fluid-filled sacs that act to cushion your joints. When these sacs become inflamed, it is called bursitis. Bursitis typically occurs in joints that perform repetitive actions.
How to treat an ankle injury
The best first step is to make an appointment and have it looked at by foot care professionals. Once a podiatrist determines the cause of your ankle injury, they can work with you on a customized treatment plan. Our board-certified foot doctors will likely prescribe as much rest as possible and have you keep pressure off your affected ankle. They might advise you to ice the area to reduce swelling and take over-the-counter pain relievers.
For serious ankle injuries, surgery may be recommended. Your podiatrist might also recommend physical therapy to get you back on your feet again.
Be proactive about your ankle injury
The most important thing is to take action if you’re dealing with an ankle injury, so don’t wait to give Kentucky/Indiana Foot and Ankle Specialists a call at any of our offices in New Albany, IN, and Louisville, Bowling Green, Elizabethtown, and Bardstown, KY or schedule an appointment online!