Ankle injury: symptoms, causes, to treatment

Definition

What is an ankle injury?

Ankle injury or ankle sprain is an injury to the ankle that occurs as a result of ligament bonds, namely the tendons that bind bones, over-stretching.

Of course, the stretch is hard enough to dislocate the ligament. Usually, a circular motion to a sudden change in position is the cause of this injury.

Ligaments do function to make your body easier to move. However, every ligament has a limit of motion, so if it crosses that limit the ligament will stretch and tear.

This is what happens when you have an ankle injury (ankle) or ankle injury.

How common is this condition?

An ankle injury is a very common health condition and can happen to anyone. This condition often occurs especially when exercising such as basketball and soccer, or in people who often use high heels.

Signs & symptoms

What are the signs and symptoms of ankle injury?

If you have an ankle injury, the signs and symptoms you may experience in your ankle are:

As if there was a jolt or tear inside the ankle
Pain is felt during the injury and even afterward, when walking or moving the ankle
The skin around the ankles can become bruised and swollen
With serious injuries, the extreme pain makes you unable to move your ankles
Numbness in the leg can mean a problem with a nerve or blood vessel.

There are other signs or symptoms not listed above. If you experience any of the symptoms, consult your doctor immediately.

When should I go to the doctor?

If you have any of the signs or symptoms of ankle injuries mentioned above, consult a doctor immediately. Do not delay consulting a doctor, especially if:

the pain was getting worse, even painkillers could not handle it
the ankles are getting swollen
the leg feels tighter

Consultation with your doctor is a good thing, according to your situation.

Cause

What causes ankle injuries?

Injuries occur when you perform movements that cause your ankle to twist or fold, stretching it too hard.

Ankle injuries can also occur because you make spontaneous movements quickly, so that the ligaments around the bones that are not ready are forced to stretch and eventually tear.

The most common movement that can cause an ankle injury is when the leg is bent inward and the entire body weight is supported by the ankle. Or it could be the result of foot movements that are bent too far out.

Quoted from the Mayo Clinic, ankle injuries can occur because:

The fall causes your ankle to spin
Your foot is misplaced after jumping or turning
Walking or exercising on uneven surfaces
Other people step on your feet during sports activities.

Risk factors

What puts you at risk for ankle injury?

There are many risk factors for ankle injury, such as:

Sports activity

Ankle injuries are the most common sports injuries. This condition often occurs in sports that require jumping, cutting or turning, tennis, soccer, and running.

Uneven surface

Walking or running on uneven surfaces or poor field conditions can increase your risk of ankle injury.

History of ankle injuries

You are more likely to develop this condition if you have had an ankle injury before.

Poor physical condition

Poor strength or flexibility in the ankles can increase the risk of injury during sports activities.

Incorrect shoe size

Shoes that do not fit properly or are not suitable for an activity, and high heels make your ankles more prone to injury.

Medicines & Medicines

The information provided is not a substitute for medical advice. ALWAYS consult your doctor.

What are the treatment options for ankle injuries?

When you have an ankle injury, you need to be treated immediately. Before taking care at the nearest health service, as first aid you can do:

Stop activity and rest your legs
Immediately cold compress with ice cubes, because swelling occurs quickly. Do not apply warm or hot objects within 72 hours of the wound or the swelling will worsen.
Compress or wrap the ankles and hold the feet parallel to the height of the hips
Use a support to rest your feet.

Physical therapy can strengthen muscles, aid in recovery, and help prevent injury. In order for the recovery process to be faster, you are advised not to do sports when you are injured, especially if the injury you are experiencing is severe.

Over-the-counter pain relievers such as ibuprofen can be taken to reduce swelling and relieve the feeling of a rash. Severe injuries may require further surgery and physical therapy.

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The following lifestyle and home remedies can help you with your ankle injury:

Wear ankle pads when exercising if you are injured frequently.
Lose weight if you are overweight.
Take medications and use the supports recommended by your doctor.
Perform the RICE method: rest (break), ice (ice Cube), compression (compress), elevation (lift).
Call your doctor if you are unable to walk or if your ankle is injured, the swelling does not go away after 2 days or if it gets worse, or you feel a tearing pinch in the ankle.
Call your doctor if your feet are numb, audible, are blue or blackish in color, or your big toes are cold (a sign of blocked circulation)
Call your doctor if you don't feel better within 7-10 days of injury.