Five Common Ankle Injuries That Affect the Young and the Old

Five Common Ankle Injuries That Affect the Young and the Old

Foot injuries can occur for a myriad of reasons. Something as simple as missing a step on a stair can result in a twisted ankle or, worse yet, a broken ankle.

If you are involved in sports or an active lifestyle, getting a foot injury is more likely.

Understanding how different injuries occur and can affect you is the first step towards protecting yourself from ankle injuries.

This article briefly covers five common foot injuries that affect both the young and the old.

1. Sports Injuries

Most sporting activities put a lot of pressure on the feet and ankles. If you imagine how sports like basketball, running, tennis and volleyball are played, the impact on the ankles can be substantial.

Sports injuries that can affect the ankle include sprains, fractures, broken ankles, and a torn Achilles tendon. If you participate in such sports, make sure to wear footwear that supports your ankle, such as high-top sports shoes.

Also, remember that ankle injuries need enough time for healing and rehabilitation, so you do not get an unstable ankle.

2. Stiff Ankle

If you previously injured your ankle, you might develop this condition, also known as osteochondritis.

The condition is caused by the formation of post-injury lesions that make it difficult for the ankle to move through its normal range of motion.

Usually, if you have a stiff ankle, immobilization of the affected ankle tends to resolve it. If you have arthritis, visit your foot specialist to determine if it could be causing the stiff ankle.

3. Fractures

The feet have almost a quarter of all the bones in the body, making them prone to fractures.

Two types of fractures that can affect the foot are stress fractures and general bone fractures. A stress fracture causes tiny cracks in the bone and, while painful, does not fully incapacitate.

General bone fractures can be more severe as they can displace the bones and require extensive surgery to realign and repair the bones.

4. Broken Ankle

A broken ankle is a severe injury that is often mistaken for an ankle sprain.

Ankle break symptoms can be similar to a sprain, including swelling, pain, inflammation, and an inability to step on the foot.

However, other signs that can point to a break are a twisted ankle, severe pain, and persistent swelling.

Because of this similarity, always have an ankle injury examined by a podiatrist to ensure that, if it is broken, you get the proper treatment.

5. Ankle Sprain

Ankle sprains are the most common ankle injuries reported by foot specialists. A sprain occurs when the ligaments in the ankle undergo excessive strain and either tear or become injured.

When this happens, the ankle becomes stiff and painful. While ankle sprains are common, properly treating them is crucial.

Your podiatrist may recommend a series of home remedies to follow, including a rehabilitation program to strengthen your ankle before you resume strenuous activities like sports.

Ankle injuries are not always avoidable. However, if you know what types can affect you and take necessary precautions, you can reduce the likelihood of a serious ankle injury.