Ankle Injuries

The ankle is a very complicated part of the body that’s comprised of many ligaments, muscles, and tendons, as well as two joints: the talus, fibula and tibia form the true ankle joint and the talus and calcaneus form the subtalar joint.   

A healthy ankle allows you to enjoy a wide range of motion in the foot – the true ankle joint enables the foot to move up and down, and the subtalar joint allows the foot to move from side to side. Suffering an ankle injury can be very painful and disabling, so it’s vital to seek medical attention quickly if you’re experiencing ankle pain.

If you’ve experienced an ankle injury –contact Global Podiatry, to schedule an appointment to receive the podiatric care that you need.  We treat all types of foot & ankle injures in Chicago. Call our specialist today ,to see how we can help you to gain relief from your ankle injury.

What is an ankle fracture?

An ankle fracture, or broken ankle, is an injury that causes one or more bones to become broken, either completely or partially, through the bone. Some ankle fractures remain in place while others can cause the ends of the bones to become misaligned, sometimes badly. Other fractures can cause the bone to fragment or splinter. Ankle fractures may be treated with casting, or they may require surgery to help stabilize the bones.

What is the difference between a sprain and strain?

Although the two terms are often used interchangeably, a sprain is an injury to the ligaments, while a strain is an injury to a tendon or muscle (or both). Both sprains and strains can occur in the ankle, and both often can be managed conservatively with rest, ice and pain medications, sometimes accompanied by physical therapy and gentle stretching.

Sprains and strains often have the same symptoms. Individuals with a sprained or strained ankle are likely to experience pain, weakness, and tenderness. The injury may bruise or swell and can make walking difficult. Recovery from minor strains and sprains can take as little as two weeks; recovery from severe strains and sprains can take much longer.

What is a high ankle sprain?

A high ankle sprain, or a syndesmotic ankle sprain, is considered to be a more serious injury than an injury to the lower ligaments in the ankle. High ankle sprains are much less common than lower ankle sprains, and occur on top of the ankle joint, where the syndesmotic ligaments connect the lower leg bones. 

High ankle sprains, unlike low ankle sprains, are commonly caused by an external rotation of the foot and leg. The symptoms can be minor or severe, depending on the severity of the sprain.

Walking boots, leg casts, and crutches can help to stabilize high ankle sprains. If the injury is severe and conservative treatment is ineffective or not possible, surgery may be required to treat the sprain. Rehabilitation is essential in most instances of a high ankle sprain.

What is the difference between an ankle sprain and a ankle tear?

An injury that involves tearing a ligament, muscle or tendon in the ankle is still classed as a strain or sprain, but the injury is much more severe than an injury caused by overstretching. Where there’s a complete tear in a ligament, muscle or tendon, the injury is typically categorized as grade three – which is the most severe of grades for sprain and strain injuries. Mild tears are grade one injuries, and incomplete tears are grade two injuries.

Torn ligaments can cause significant pain, instability, bruising, and inflammation; a torn muscle or tendon can cause symptoms such as immobility, pain, cramping, weakness, and muscle spasms. Rest, ice, compression, elevation, and stabilization form an effective treatment plan for most torn ligament, muscle and tendon injuries. 

Due to the severity of tears, they can take longer to recover from than mild sprains and strains.

What is causing pain in my ankle?

Some of the most common types of ankle pain are fractures, sprains and strains, but there are many further reasons why you may be experiencing pain in your ankle that may be unrelated to an injury, including:

• Bursitis
• Gout
• Pseudogout
• Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome
• Osteochondritis Dissecans
• Osteoarthritis
• Reactive Arthritis
• Psoriatic Arthritis
• Septic Arthritis 
• Rheumatoid Arthritis
• Plantar Fasciitis

To get to the bottom of your ankle pain, it’s important to visit a podiatrist in Chicago for a diagnosis as soon as possible. 

How can I tell if I need to see a doctor following an ankle injury?

Any ankle injury needs to be evaluated by a doctor to determine the extent of the injury and to ensure the injury receives the most appropriate treatment. Even seemingly minor ankle injuries can result in mobility issues when not properly treated, and some injuries can cause permanent damage to the joint and other structures, or make it more likely osteoarthritis will occur in the future. Plus, untreated ankle injuries can change the way you walk, even if only for a brief period, and that can cause additional problems to develop in the feet, knees, hips and lower back.

Is there anything I can do to prevent ankle injuries?

The best ways to prevent ankle injuries include making sure to wear shoes that fit properly and provide plenty of support for the foot and the ankle, and to perform stretching exercises to keep the tendons, ligaments, and muscles flexible and healthy.

Do I Need A Foot & Ankle Doctor?

Although many will disregard a “simple” sprain, foot and ankle specialists know the long term effects of seemingly minor injuries.  It is important to be evaluated after any trauma, in order to minimize the risks of joint instability, arthritis, and loss of function.  We have on-site diagnostics to evaluate both bone and soft tissue injuries!

Global Podiatry – Ankle Injury Treatment in Chicago 

In order to treat your ankle injury effectively, you need an accurate diagnosis. At Global Podiatry in Chicago, our trained podiatrists will diagnose your ankle injury or pain with advanced diagnostic technology to create the best treatment plan for you. 

From diagnostics and treatment to prevention, we’ll help you to find relief from your ankle pain safely and prevent recurrences of ankle pain. For more information about Global Podiatry and our ankle injury treatment services in Chicago, get in touch with us today. 

The sooner that you enlist the help of a podiatrist, the sooner you can be on your way towards a fast, safe, and effective recovery!