It doesn’t take much to injure an ankle. In fact, it can even take a single step.
But did you also know that a single injury often leads to chronic problems, especially when they involve sprains?
The skilled Advanced Care Foot and Ankle podiatry team sees people with ongoing ankle injuries on a regular basis at each of their locations in Corona and Ontario, California.
If you need help with a chronic ankle problem or want to avoid them entirely, here’s what you need to know.
In most cases, the cause of recurring ankle injuries is fairly straightforward — the initial injury caused instability in the joint.
This part of your body is very complex, especially given its size. The joint itself forms where the lower leg connects to the foot.
From a functional perspective, it’s a hinge joint. Like the hinges of the door, it can move in certain directions.
However, the ankle is technically a synovial joint. These types of joints have the greatest freedom of movement because one bone fits into a cavity in another bone. And the bones get held together by thick cords of ligaments.
When you sustain an ankle injury, especially a sprain, these ligaments get stretched or torn.
Unfortunately, this often leads to chronic instability, which increases your chances of ongoing issues. And the more ankle injuries you sustain, the greater the likelihood of even more problems moving forward, including arthritis.
Studies show that up to 40% of ankle sprains end up causing recurring symptoms. But they don’t have to.
While ligaments can sustain significant damage during an injury, proper treatment and rehabilitation can help you avoid recurrent problems.
Whether it’s your first ankle injury or your third, it’s vital to see an expert. This ensures you get effective treatment from the start so you can avoid instability entirely.
Our podiatrists take a comprehensive approach to evaluating and diagnosing your condition at Advanced Care Foot and Ankle.
The first step involves discussing your history of ankle injuries and symptoms. Then, we physically examine the area for signs of swelling, tenderness, and instability.
Finally, we perform imaging studies to assess the internal structures of the joint.
Based on our findings, we can put together a treatment strategy to restore stability and help you avoid additional injuries in the weeks, months, and years to come.
Our team uses a combination of methods to treat ankle injuries and instability. One key area involves physical therapy.
Physical therapy is a crucial component when you sustain damage to this part of your body. It helps strengthen muscles supporting the joint and retrains connective tissue, which improves balance and range of motion.
Our team can also provide special training to help you navigate specific activities or sports injury-free.
When ankle injuries don’t respond to conservative methods, we could suggest surgery.
If you sustain an ankle injury, don’t put your recovery at risk. Book a consultation by phone or online at Advanced Care Foot and Ankle to get effective treatment from the very beginning.