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Ankle Sprain / Fracture
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The ankle joints are two of the most important joints of our body. They play an essential role in our mobility, allowing us to pivot and step and kick and jump. However, they are not invulnerable. These joints take a hefty amount of the stress and pressure of our daily movements, and they perform a fairly good job to support our body weight. Just one misstep can put your ankle out of commission for quite some time.
Getting an ankle brace for sprain compound can help you recover faster and heal better. They wrap around most or all of the foot, offering much needed support for the parts that normally serve as support for the body. Other types of medical supplies may be better for treating other types of ankle-related medical issues. Splint kits and boots can help with breaks or fractures.
If you have been searching for ankle casting, splinting, or bracing products, then your search is over. OrthoTape.com is home to an array of splint kits, fracture boots, and ankle braces for sprain compounds. Any time you suffer a twisted ankle, ligament sprain, or broken ankle, we have a host of treatment options available right here. Click on the products below and learn more about what we can do for you.
Ankle
Fracture and Ankle Sprain
Broken
Ankle treatments and recovery
The
ankle joints are one of the most important joints of our body as they play an
essential role in our mobility. One misstep and your ankle is gone for good.
These joints take a hefty amount of the stress and pressure of our daily
movements and perform a fairly good job to support our body weight.
Ankle Fracture
Any trauma
at the ankle joint can result in an ankle fracture. This means that the bones
making up this joint are broken. Such fractures commonly occur at the leg bones
i.e., tibia or fibula, and are usually due to an extreme twisting of the ankle
joint. Following are the most common causes of this type of fracture:
1.Impact
or shock from a vicious fall
2.Trauma
to the ankle due to a car accident
3.Rolling
the ankle in or out
4.Extreme
flexion or extension at the joint
5.Poor
bone health and diet i.e., a diet lacking calcium and vitamin D.
Broken
ankles affect people of all ages and occupations. But most commonly, it is
found among physically active people and athletes who participate in high
impact sports like sprinting, tennis, football, basketball, and soccer. The
symptoms of a fractured ankle include the following:
1.Pain
and swelling at the ankle or along the leg
2.Tenderness
at the affected joint
3.Difficulty
in walking or putting weight on the foot
4.Failure
to move the ankle
5.Apparent
deformity of joint
6.Bruising
of the fractured area
7.The
pointy end of the fractured bone may pierce the skin and become exposed to the
outside
8.Numbness
of the foot
Treatment
1.In-home therapy
The fractured joint should be immobilized
at all costs and ice packs should be applied to minimize the swelling and to
prevent any further deterioration of the condition. Keeping the ankle elevated
also helps minimize the pain and swelling. Over-the-counter painkillers can be
used if accessible which allows reduction of the agony and discomfort of the
individual. The next step should include the prompt transfer of the patient to
a clinic or a hospital setting where a further evaluation of the situation can determine
the necessary course of action.
2.Non-surgical treatment (when fractured bones
are in place)
Upon examination, if the consultant tells
you that the bones are not that far out of place, he may proceed to suggest you
settle this problem with an ankle brace or support. It is like a short leg cast
which minimizes the movement of the fractured joint. Some physicians let the
patients put weight on their leg right away while others ask them to take necessary
precautions for at least six weeks. Regular follow-up visits and X-ray studies
of the affected joint characterize the prognosis of the healing process.
3.Surgical treatment (when fractured bones are
out of place)
If the fracture is out of place or the
ankle is unstable then the fracture has to be fixed by surgical intervention.
During this type of procedure, the bone fragments are first reduced into their
normal position and are then held together with the help of wires, screws, or
metallic plates. In some cases, a rod may be placed inside the bone to keep the
fragments intact as they heal.
Ankle
Sprain
An ankle sprain is due to damage to the
tough ligaments that surround the ankle joint. The injury usually happens when
you accidentally awkwardly twist your foot. This can stretch and tear the
ligaments, or may even avulse them in grave situations. The purpose of the
ligaments is to keep the ankle stable by restricting the over-expansive
movement at the joint. A sprain prevents you from taking proper steps while
walking. Following are a few symptoms involved in this condition:
1.Ankle
stiffness
2.Pain
and discomfort
3.Inability
to put weight on the affected joint
Grades of Ankle Sprain
After a thorough examination, the physician will analyze the best course of treatment
according to the degree of severity. Ankle sprains are graded based on how much
damage has been incurred by the ligaments.
Grade 1 sprain (mild): The
ankle is mildly swollen and has very little tenderness. There is slight
stretching and/or microscopic tears in the ligaments.
Grade
2 sprain (moderate): There is partial tearing of the ligaments. The
tenderness and swelling are only moderate but reduce the extent of ankle
mobility.
Grade 3 sprain (severe): There
is a complete tear or avulsion of any of the ligaments supporting the ankle.
The pain is significant and is sometimes even unbearable for the patients.
Treatment
1.First aid
The
first and foremost action that the patient can take himself is applying ice
packs to the affected area. Refrain from excessive movement to prevent further
damage. Putting on elastic bands or wrapping the area with clothing straps can
put pressure on the site and help mitigate the throbbing pain. Crutches can be
used if available to prevent excessive weight burden over the damaged joint. Elevation
of the affected ankle is also needed to prevent high perfusion of the swollen
area and in turn reduction of the inflammation. After the settlement of the
initial pain, it is necessary to pay the physician a visit to prevent any
further complications.
2.Non-Surgical Treatments of the Sprain
More than 90% of patients with ankle sprain
do not require any surgical intervention and can be easily rehabilitated by
using simple steps. In addition to the first aid remedies described above, some
extra precautions must be taken for a complete recovery. Most commonly, the
physician will advise using an ankle splint. This helps keep the joint in place
and prevents excessive mobilization. Also, temporary ankle braces or pneumatic
medical boots can serve the same purpose as well.
The pneumatic medical air boots look like
ski boots that have an inflatable inner lining for additional application of
compression. Normally, the brace or splint is used for at least 6 weeks. Along
with this, the patient is also advised to use crutches which enable him to walk
without putting extra weight on the healing joint.
3.Surgical Treatment
Surgical treatment for ankle sprains is very rarely
utilized and is only selected for those injuries which fail to heal using
non-surgical methods. There are two different ways to treat the sprain
surgically.
Arthroscopy. In this technique, the doctor
inserts a small camera which shows the whole view inside the joint cavity. This
is called an arthroscope. Then, minor instruments are introduced to remove any
broken fragments or parts of the ligament. Minor stitches can also be applied
during this technique to ensure maximum chances of healing.
Reconstruction. The doctor may open the joint
surgically and repair the torn or damaged ligaments with stitches and sutures.
In some situations, a graft must be used from other places of the body to
repair the damage.
Rehabilitation/Recovery from Surgery. The
time of rehabilitation may take from weeks to months. The length usually
depends upon the extent of the injury and the nature of surgical repair required.
Proper diet and care can significantly extend the recovery time of the patient.
How to prevent ankle sprains and fractures?
1.Wear
proper shoes. Use appropriate shoes for the specific sport and replace them
regularly after they wear out.
2.Maintaining
a good diet rich in proteins, calcium, and vitamin D.
3.Regular
exercises for strengthening the muscles around the ankle to provide better
stability.
4.Proper
warm-up before every exercise can significantly reduce the chances of an ankle
fracture.
5.Avoiding
the use of high heels for female patients. Rather wear comfortable shoes or
sneakers fitting the natural contour of the feet.
6.Avoid
smoking as it delays bone healing and bone remodeling.