How do ankles and feet get injured?

If you consider the amount of stress your feet and ankles are under as you engage in your favorite sport or activity, it’s easy to see how these areas are particularly prone to injury. By far, the most common sports injuries are caused by:

• Sudden twisting
• Falls
• Overuse
• Direct blows

The results of these actions can lead to numerous problems in your feet and ankles, including:

• Ankle sprains
• Achilles tendonitis
• Bursitis
• Soft tissue strains or tears
• Plantar fasciitis

What are the symptoms of a sprain?

The most common sports-related injury in ankles and feet are sprains, which are defined as a twisting or wrenching of your ligaments that leads to tears.

Ankle sprains occur when your foot rolls under your ankle, causing a twisting motion, while isolated twisting movements cause sprains elsewhere in the foot. To determine whether you have sprained your ankle or your foot, you should look for:

• Pain
• Swelling
• Bruising
• Inability to bear weight
• Tenderness

If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, make an appointment with Dr. Dunn to get checked out.

What are the best treatments for sports-related sprains?

Using the RICE method is the first thing you should do if you suspect you have sprained your ankle or foot. RICE stands for:

• Resting your injury
• Icing the affected area for 20 minutes every hour
• Compression: Preventing swelling by wrapping the area with an elastic bandage
• Elevating: Placing your foot above your heart helps control swelling

While you are performing the RICE therapy, call or go online to book an appointment with Dr. Dunn for a full evaluation of your injury. Once Dr. Dunn performs her evaluation, she goes over the best course of action, which may include:

• Continuing the RICE therapy for one to two days
• Taking anti-inflammatory medications
• Braces or crutches
• Physical therapy
• Surgery: But only in severe cases

No matter what type of injury, problems with your feet or ankles should not be ignored. If you are experiencing discomfort or you have limited use of your foot or ankle because of a sports-related injury, you should be evaluated as soon as possible by Dr. Charisse Dunn.