Broken Ankles Treated By Podiatrists
Broken ankles are one of the most common, worrisome injuries that can occur among active individuals. Broken ankle injuries typically occur when an individual falls, trips or ends up in some form of accident (i.e. bike crash). Most of the damage is generally caused by the initial impact or moving the ankle in an awkward way. On a positive note, a Decatur podiatrist visit may help resolve ankle fractures and breaks.
Upon arriving to the office, your podiatrist will ask for a recap of what happened and conduct a visual examination of the ankle. He or she will be looking for areas of inflammation, pain, tenderness, bruising, weakness and deformity. Besides the visual exam, your Decatur foot doctor may also order a stress test, MRI, X-ray or CT scan to help determine the severity of the break.
Afterward, he or she will recommend either a series of surgical or non-surgical treatments that will treat the damaged areas. Both have notable downtime periods attached. For example, posterior, lateral and medial malleolus (bony bulge on either side of the ankle) injuries may be treated non-surgically and generally take up to 10 weeks to heal completely. Oftentimes, the list of non-surgical measures used will include the following:
Pain medications (OTC or prescription)
Compression bandages or splints
Cold compresses or cold therapy
Removable braces or boots
Range of motion exercises
Orthopedic footwear
Rest and elevation
Ankle or leg casts
Bi- and tri-malleolar fractures, on the other hand, usually require surgical intervention. If ankle surgery is needed, the podiatrist may either perform it alone or with the assistance of an orthopedic surgeon. In some instances, the surgical procedure involves the insertion of permanent hardware. The list of hardware frequently used to repair broken ankles tends to include pins, wires, plates and screws. Depending on the individual, the post-surgery recovery period could last 12 weeks or more. During that period, return visits to your Decatur foot clinic are needed to monitor the healing process and make any adjustments to the care plan as needed.
FILED UNDER ANKLE INJURIES, FOOT & ANKLE SURGERY · TAGGED WITH ANKLE FRACTURE TREATMENT, ANKLE FRACTURES, ANKLE SURGEON DECATUR, ANKLE SURGERY, BROKEN ANKLE, DECATUR FOOT DOCTOR, PODIATRIST, PODIATRIST BROKEN ANKLE, SURGERY FOR BROKEN ANKLE, TREAT BROKEN ANKLE DECATUR
How to Treat Ankle Sprains
Posted by Suzette Clements, DPM on June 3, 2014 · 1 Comment
Treatment for Ankle SprainsGetting ankle sprains due to an accident can be painful and can result in mobility issues for a significant period of time. While the main recommendation when suffering with ankle sprain is to see your Decatur podiatrist, WebMD has some ideas using what it calls the PRINCE approach….here is a summary:
You should Protect the damaged ankle using some kind of brace with a built-in air cushion along with a compression wrap such as an elastic bandage 24 to 36 hours after the accident.
You should Rest as much as possible, not putting a lot of pressure on the ankle, using crutches when walking.
Applying Ice for the first 48 to 72 hours after the accident helps to reduce swelling. Do this 10 or so minutes every one to two hours.
Addressing the inflammation that results from an ankle sprain is also crucial. NSAIDs such as Ibuprofen (such as Advil or Motrin) and naproxen (such as Naprosyn) are good anti-inflammatory. Tylenol can work as well.
Compression is important to help bring down the swelling of an ankle sprain. Using an elastic wrap should help, but one should take care not to wrap the ankle too tightly. “Signs that the bandage is too tight include numbness, tingling, increased pain, coolness, and/or swelling in the area below the bandage.” Most compression wraps come with instructions on how to apply them.
Finally, you should keep the ankle Elevated as much as possible when you are seated or laying down. The ankle should be above the level of the heart two to three hours a day to help cut down on swelling and bruising.
Home remedies can be successful when treating ankle sprains, but seeking professional treatment from your Decatur foot doctor is always recommended. Call us today to schedule.
