3 Essential Types Of Ankle Injuries And Their Treatments

 

All musculoskeletal joints in our body develop to offer a limited range of motion and rotation at their junctions. The ankle joint is one such junction of the tibia, fibula, and talus bones where two sets of ligaments limit its flexion and extension motion when walking, sprinting, or jumping. Any extensive movements of the foot directly impact these ankle bones and ligaments and cause ankle injuries.

Though they are more common in athletes, ankle injuries can occur in anyone who suffers from a fall or an accident, or even due to age-related overuse.

The term ‘ankle injuries,’ however, can be considered an umbrella term for three essential types of damages that ankle bones and tissues can sustain. 

How To Differentiate Between Different Types Of Ankle Injuries?

All mild to moderate ankle injuries show similar signs and symptoms, such as pain, swelling, and bruising. Hence, one can easily misjudge their ankle’s condition and opt for the wrong ankle treatment options. It is crucial to evaluate the injury to judge its type and treatments. Based on the tissues that are injured, ankle injuries may occur in the form of:

Ankle Sprains: 

When the ligaments fastening the ankle bones get strained beyond their elastic strength, the ankle is said to have sprained. The swelling and pain will vary depending on the extent of the sprain. But with a sprain, the ankle becomes stiff and aches when moved.

Treating Ankle Sprain:

Sprains are almost always treated nonsurgically unless the ligaments have suffered complete tears. These non-surgical therapies may include the RICE (rest, ice, compress, elevate) treatment, exercises for improving range of motion, and joint immobilization.

Ankle Fractures:

The ankle fracture can involve any of the three ankle bones being cracked, broken, or dislocated. A fracture makes the ankle area feel tender and deformed in some cases. Hairline fractures are hard to diagnose visually as they allow some mobility with general pain. Significant cracks and dislocations in the ankle, on the other hand, immobilizes the foot and show apparent deformity around the injury in most cases.

Treating Ankle Fractures:

Any ankle specialist in Mumbai would first assess the extent of the fracture before suggesting treatments. If the fracture is hairline without any dislocations, immobilizing the joint with splints can help the joint heal. Extensively fracture ankle bones are fixed with implants or arthroscopic ankle surgery.

Ankle Tendonitis:

Tendonitis develops after the peroneal tendons in the ankle wear out and become inflamed due to years of overuse or a traumatic injury, causing acute tears, weakness, and instability in the joint. The pain in the ankle due to tendonitis is sporadic, and one may even notice a rise in the height of the foot's arch.

Treating Tendonitis:

Tendons can’t regenerate in most cases. Hence, the best ankle treatment option here is to improve the strength and overall motion of the adjacent tissues and bones. Your doctor may recommend a medicinal course of anti-inflammatory drugs to manage pain along with supportive braces for performing specific exercises and activities. Surgery for tendonitis may be suggested to repair some tendons and surrounding soft tissues if the injury prevents them from performing routine activities.

Dr. Pranjal Kodkani frequently treats such ankle injuries in athletes. But what makes him the ankle specialist in Mumbai is his unique joint preservation approach towards athletic injuries that help prevent recurring joint problems. If you’ve suffered from ankle pain recently, you should consult Dr. Kodkani to get his experience-based opinions and learn more about his technologically-driven ankle treatment options.