Ankle Injuries and Disorders

Your ankle bone and the ends of your two lower leg bones make up the ankle joint. Your ligaments, which connect bones to one another, stabilize and support it. Your muscles and tendons move it.

The most common ankle problems are sprains and fractures. A sprain is an injury to the ligaments. It may take a few weeks to many months to heal completely. A fracture is a break in a bone. You can also injure other parts of the ankle such as tendons, which join muscles to bone, and cartilage, which cushions your joints. Ankle sprains and fractures are common sports injuries.

Symptoms of Ankle Injuries and Disorders

The following features are indicative of Ankle Injuries and Disorders:
  • black-and-blue mark
  • burning
  • difficulty pushing off with toes
  • feeling of instability
  • flattened arch
  • inability to bear weight
  • joint deformity
  • numbness or tingling
  • redness
  • stiffness
  • swelling
  • thickened or rough skin
  • weakness

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Common Causes of Ankle Injuries and Disorders

The following are the most common causes of Ankle Injuries and Disorders:
  • mechanical ligament instability
  • deep bone bruises
  • loose cartilage bodies
  • tendon injury
  • nerve pain from a stretch injury
  • impingement of the ankle from chronic scar tissue inside the ankle

Other Causes of Ankle Injuries and Disorders

The following are the less common causes of Ankle Injuries and Disorders:
  • overstressing of the muscles
  • fall on the side of foot
  • twisting of knee
  • recent injury

Risk Factors for Ankle Injuries and Disorders

The following factors may increase the likelihood of Ankle Injuries and Disorders:
  • ill-fitting shoes
  • injury
  • long periods of rest

Prevention of Ankle Injuries and Disorders

Yes, it may be possible to prevent Ankle Injuries and Disorders. Prevention may be possible by doing the following:
  • avoid exercising when in pain
  • eat a well-balanced diet
  • avoid falling
  • wear shoes that fit well
  • be in good physical condition to play a sport
  • warm up and stretch before playing
  • run on a flat surface

Occurrence of Ankle Injuries and Disorders

Number of Cases

The following are the number of Ankle Injuries and Disorders cases seen each year worldwide:
  • Very common > 10 Million cases

Common Age Group

Ankle Injuries and Disorders can occur at any age.

Common Gender

Ankle Injuries and Disorders can occur in any gender.

Lab Tests and Procedures for Diagnosis of Ankle Injuries and Disorders

The following lab tests and procedures are used to detect Ankle Injuries and Disorders:
  • Squeeze test: To compress the tibia and fibula above the midpoint of the calf
  • Dorsiflexion with compression: To dorsiflexes the foot while the examiner compresses the internal and external malleolus
  • External rotation: To test the dangling leg and ankle at 90° and external rotation then applied to the foot
  • Ultrasound: To permit the injury to be visualized
  • Magnetic resonance imaging: To demonstrate the ligament

Doctor for Diagnosis of Ankle Injuries and Disorders

Patients should visit the following specialists if they have symptoms of Ankle Injuries and Disorders:
  • Orthopaedic surgeon
  • Physical therapist/physiotherapist

Complications of Ankle Injuries and Disorders if untreated

Yes, Ankle Injuries and Disorders causes complications if it is not treated. Below is the list of complications and problems that may arise if Ankle Injuries and Disorders is left untreated:
  • contractures
  • toe deformities
  • paralysis
  • sensory neuropathy

Procedures for Treatment of Ankle Injuries and Disorders

The following procedures are used to treat Ankle Injuries and Disorders:
  • Ankle-instability surgery: This surgery reconstruct the unstable lateral ankle ligaments
  • Ankle Cheilectomy: Removes bone spur from the talus or tibia

Self-care for Ankle Injuries and Disorders

The following self-care actions or lifestyle changes may help in the treatment or management of Ankle Injuries and Disorders:
  • Do rest: Helps in recovery fastly
  • Use ice Pack: Reduces the pain, swelling and inflammation in injured muscles
  • Use compresses: Stops swelling

Alternative Medicine for Treatment of Ankle Injuries and Disorders

The following alternate medicine and therapies are known to help in the treatment or management of Ankle Injuries and Disorders:
  • Acupuncture: Alleviates the intensity and duration of pain
  • Ankle manual therapy: Strengthens the muscles
  • Cryotherapy: Reduces pain

Time for Treatment of Ankle Injuries and Disorders

While time-period of treatment for each patient may vary, below is the typical time-period for Ankle Injuries and Disorders to resolve if treated properly under an expert supervision:
  • In 1 - 3 months

Last updated date

This page was last updated on 2/04/2019.
This page provides information for Ankle Injuries and Disorders.
Foot Injuries and Disorders
Sprains and Strains

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