Top 4 Common Ankle Injuries

Ankle injuries fall into two main categories: displaced and nondisplaced ankle fractures. In displaced injuries, the ankle’s bones lose their alignment, and treatment will seek to realign them. In nondisplaced injuries, the bones may be broken but still in their right position and alignment. The treatment objective, in this case, is to fix broken bones. 

The first line of defense against ankle injuries is to equip yourself with the knowledge about ankles; click here to learn more ankles. 

Ankle injuries can appear in any of the following forms:

1. Ankle Sprains

Ankle sprain injuries are the most common type of ankle injuries, and they require immediate attention. If left for long periods without appropriate medical attention, they can make the ankles vulnerable to induced damages. 

Ankle sprains occur when the ankle twists, damaging the ankle ligaments. Although they’re mostly associated with sportspeople, anybody can get this injury. Even a simple slipping and falling can turn the ligaments of your ankle, causing injuries. The rate of ankle sprains is high among young people, between the ages of 15 to 24, because they’re more active and likely to engage in high involving physical activities. 

Ankle sprains can be minor or high end. Minor sprains don’t cause any serious damage to the ankle ligaments. Instead, they have mild pains that can be neutralized by ice and a sufficient amount of rest. There are only a few complex situations that can compel the injured party to seek advanced medical attention. Better still, to minimize vulnerabilities and exposure to danger, you can take precautions to protect your feet. 

Assessing ankle sprains involves tracing the history of ankle injuries and the mode of injury. You can also list the location of the pain, the level of your physical activity, and the possibilities of immobility. Physical examination involves watching out for gross deformity, blisters, ecchymosis, and swellings.

2. Ankle Fractures

Ankle fractures, which are different from ankle sprains, result from overwhelming impacts and distressing injuries. Unlike the ankle sprains, ankle fractures need the services of an orthopedic. 

Ankle fractures might show blisters, deformities, bruises, swelling, and pain. Sometimes the bones might project off the skin, risking the body of germ and bacteria contraction. 

The best way to handle ankle fractures is to immediately see a physician after first aid. The treatment prescription for ankle fractures will depend on the extent of damage and the damaged section of the ankle.

3. Achilles Tendon Ruptures

The Achilles, renowned as the strongest and the largest body tendon, bears the body’s heaviest weight. Overstrain on the Achilles can cause Achilles tendonitis, which is a precipitating condition to the rupture of the tendon. The tendon is also known to rupture due to sudden trauma.

Achilles rupture is a painful experience. The avulsion, midsubstance 2-6 cm proximity to insertion, and the myotendinous junctions are the most common sites of rupture. The mechanism of the injury is eccentric with sudden ankle dorsiflexion.

Physical examination to identify the injury includes looking for signs of weak plantar flexion and swellings. The examination can also take place using a palpable defect and Thompson.

4. Lateral Malleolus Fracture

Malleolus are the bony connectors outside and inside the ankle. The lateral malleolus located outside the ankle is the one that connects with the fibula. Lateral malleolus fractures occur when the fibula part above the ankle gets damaged.

A direct blow to the malleolus, tripping, falling, or a twist of the ankle and foot can damage the malleolus, which causes bruises, swelling, and severe pain. Since they also form part of the ankle, in the cases where you need to carry something heavy, the experience becomes painful, making it extremely difficult to lift any weight. 

Lateral malleolus fractures occur in different intensities. The mode of treatment depends on the extent of and the location of the body. A cast can help fix a nondisplaced fracture. Displacement damages require surgical procedures to fix the damaged malleolus.

Conclusion

Ankle injuries can affect the ligaments or affect the bones when they break or dislocate from their right position. 

The most common ankle injuries include Achilles tendon ruptures, which occurs due to damage on the Achilles tendon, ankle sprains, which occur when the ankle twists damaging the ankle ligaments, lateral malleolus fractures occur when the fibula part above the ankle gets damaged, and ankle fractures when the ankles are damaged.