About two million people in the United States sprain their ankle each year — before counting other injuries like a break or damage to the ligament or tendon. Add up the numbers and it means a whole lot of people limping around.
The good news is expert medical treatment can help make the recovery process as fast and smooth as possible.
At Advanced Care Foot and Ankle located in Corona and Ontario, California, our highly skilled podiatric surgeons provide customized, state-of-the-art treatments for a wide variety of foot and ankle care needs. Whether it's an ankle or other type of injury or a chronic condition, we work with our patients to develop a care plan that fits their needs and gets them back to their full and active lives.
The ankle consists of three bones known as the tibia, fibula, and talus along with cartilage to help the bones slide against each other and to protect the joint by acting as a shock absorber. Ligaments connect the foot and lower leg bones and provide stabilization while tendons attach muscles to the bones.
Ankle injuries can occur while being active or playing sports but they can also result from something as simple as landing wrong on the foot or tripping. Chronic conditions like arthritis can also cause ongoing issues.
Common ankle injuries include a broken bone or fracture, a sprain that affects one or more of the ligaments, or a strain that is milder than a sprain and can occur in a ligament or muscle. A torn or ruptured tendon is another frequent problem.
Symptoms include pain, stiffness, swelling, and bruising. The degree depends on the type of injury and its severity. If the problem is serious enough, it may also be difficult to stand.
When an injury occurs, it's important to get a proper diagnosis and treatment plan in place to encourage healing and reduce the chance of additional symptoms and an increased risk of future problems.
For mild discomfort, things to try at home can include resting, raising the ankle as much as possible, applying ice, and wrapping a bandage around it for additional support. Over-the-counter pain medication may temporarily help as well.
However, it's important to see a doctor if any of the following occur:
Immediate attention should be sought under the following circumstances as it may indicate a more severe injury:
If you've experienced an ankle injury, we can provide a diagnosis and design a personalized treatment plan to get you moving pain-free again as soon as possible. Click to book an appointment or call the Corona office at 951-735-8806 or the Ontario office at 909-983-5710 today.