05 Sep Why You Should Treat Your Ankle Injury
Ankle injuries can be both common and frustrating; this time of year, it isn’t uncommon for student athletes to have sprains and strains in fall sports like football, soccer, or track for example. Ankle injuries can also be the result of simple bad luck, like twisting your ankle on uneven pavement or stepping in a hole in your yard. Here are some simple facts about ankle injuries and what you should do if you’ve recently hurt yours…
An ankle sprain is a very common injury, resulting in the over-stretching of the ligaments of the ankle, most often on the outside of the leg. This happens often in sports like running, especially on uneven ground, sports with quick stops, starts, and turns, like soccer or football, and from bad luck like stepping from a level surface to a lower surface and rolling the ankle outward.
Your “bad” ankle: Unfortunately, once you’ve injured your ankle in a more serious sprain, you may have a higher risk of injuring that same ankle in the future. Depending on the nature of your previous injury, that ankle may be less stable and you can be more prone to rolling it and/or injuring it again – especially when playing sports or walking/running on uneven ground.
From mild to severe: If you sprain your ankle, you may have some mild local irritation or you may have a swollen ankle that causes pain that restricts movement. It depends on the nature and severity of your injury. It’s best to see a physical therapist and have your ankle examined; s/he will get you moving with the right type of treatment.
Prevention is (sometimes) possible: While you can’t always prevent injury, take special care when walking or running on uneven ground such as a wooded trail. If you walk the dog on sidewalks, be sure you’re paying attention for uneven areas that might cause you to trip or roll your ankle. If you already have an ankle prone to rolling, ask a PT how to prevent injury with exercise or even wearing a brace.
DIY to Professional Treatment: For a mild suspected injury, you can try rest, ice, and elevation. For anything that doesn’t improve after a few days, with swelling, pain, pain interrupting your sleep, and/or restricted movement, it’s time to seek professional help. A physical therapist is an expert in the musculoskeletal system, who will assess your injury and recommend a treatment plan designed to help reduce discomfort and start your recovery.
Important joints: Your ankle is a vital joint helping you walk and move comfortably. If you injure your ankle, it’s important to take care of it properly and quickly, to help prevent further injury. Untreated sprains can lead to problems with movement, joint stiffness, and even arthritis as you age. Don’t shrug off an injury and assume it will heal well without intervention – it’s always best to seek a professional opinion, especially if you took a serious fall, are experiencing severe pain, your movement is affected., or this is a repeated injury to the same joint.
If you’re having trouble with your ankle (or other joints), Body One Physical Therapy is ready to get to work on your injury. We’re locally-owned and operated, with three locations serving Central Indiana: North Indianapolis, Fishers, and Zionsville. Don’t put your joint health at risk, call Body One today and let our team of expert, compassionate physical therapists help you live your best life. Call today!
Why You Should Treat Your Ankle Injury
