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Every year, there are millions of people dealing with foot and ankle issues. Foot and ankle injuries are extremely common among athletes and physically active individuals. Injuries can be sudden and acute, or they can be the result of a build up of repetitive forces in the ankle or foot causing microscopic damage to the bones. These tiny cracks in the bone may develop over time which can lead to more chronic conditions.
In the early stage of the injury, there may be no pain and symptoms may not be noticeable. However, the pain may develop over time and symptoms may start to arise such as stiffness, pain, swelling, heel pain or deformities. Failure to recognise and properly address these symptoms may lead to serious injuries or other complications.
Below are some of the most common injuries that occur in the foot and ankle:
Foot and ankle injuries are pretty common and may occur due to different causes. Most ankle sprains happen when the ankle joint is twisted too far out of its normal form. The risk for injury is higher in sports than doing physical activities regularly.
Some of the common causes of foot and ankle injuries may include but not limited to:
If you’ve hurt or sprained your ankle, you can apply first aid using the R.I.C.E method. This is a simple self-care technique to help reduce inflammation, ease pain, and speed up healing.
R.I.C.E stands for:
As soon as you hurt your foot or ankle, stop your activity and rest the injured body part to prevent further damage. Avoid putting weight on the injured area to prevent bruising.
Put ice in the affected area to reduce swelling. The ice provides a numbing sensation that helps reduce the pain. Icing is mostly effective immediately following the injury. When icing, do not put it longer than 15 minutes to prevent frostbite.
Wrap the injured ankle with compression wrap to keep it immobile and supported. Ensure not to wrap your ankle too tightly, just enough to still feel sensations in your feet.
Once wrapped and compressed, elevate the injured body part at heart level or above to reduce the swelling and pain.
The RICE method can help treat minor injuries and get you back in shape as soon as possible but for severe cases that may require foot and ankle surgery, look for a foot and ankle specialist who can examine you, assess your condition, and discuss treatment options available based on your condition.
Remember that RICE is for first aid only. For ongoing treatments for ankle injuries and other conditions like routine foot care, injury & trauma, it is recommended to seek professional advice for proper diagnosis and treatment.
It is not always possible to avoid ankle injuries, but there are preventive measures to help reduce the risk of getting an injury, and some of the helpful tips include:
For specialized foot and ankle care or if you are diabetic and you’re looking for diabetic foot ulcer care, you can put your trust in Florida Foot and Ankle to address your medical need and receive the best care.
Florida Foot and Ankle Associates is a leading group of doctors in South Florida providing the highest quality treatments and services for foot and ankle conditions. Some of the practices we specialize in include:
And more!
Call us now at 786-662-3893 to speak with our podiatrist about your condition.
We also have locations throughout South Florida, our specialists serving the Greater Miami Area, including Miami-Dade (Miami, Kendall, Miami Beach, Doral, Hialeah, Coral Gables), Broward County (Hollywood, Pembroke Pines), and Palm Beach County (Boca Raton).
Click here to find the nearest one near you!
The material contained on this site is for informational purposes only and DOES NOT CONSTITUTE THE PROVIDING OF MEDICAL ADVICE, and is not intended to be a substitute for independent professional medical judgment, advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified healthcare providers with any questions or concerns you may have regarding your health.
