All About Ankle Sprains

Many children are scared of things going bump in the night. When you bump into or trip over something in the night and an ankle sprain occurs, it can definitely be a scary situation.

In reality, an ankle sprain can happen to anyone at any time. It is a common injury and roughly 25,000 people experience a degree of an ankle sprain every day. Dr. Tejas Pandya, foot and ankle specialist in Troy, and Clifton Park, NY treats patients with ankle sprains on a regular basis.

What happens?

When the ligaments of the ankle unnaturally twist and are pushed beyond their limits, a sprain has happened. You might even hear a “popping” sound followed by pain, swelling and bruising. There are levels of severity and they correlate to the level of damage that occurs. The damage also dictates the type of treatment needed and the length of recovery to be expected.

What should you do?

First off, observe the basic first-aid rule of RICE. Rest your ankle, ice the injury, add compression bandages to immobilize the ankle, and elevate your foot. When symptoms do not improve, it is important to see a podiatrist such as Dr. Pandya. Symptoms of a sprain are similar to a broken bone and he can accurately diagnose the degree of injury.

The rehabilitation process is key in gaining back foot and ankle health. Ankle sprains that are not properly treated could lead to chronic problems and pain. An ankle sprain could take weeks to months to fully heal, so you should pace yourself when attempting to get back into regular activity. Keep your ankles strengthened with good warm up before activity, stretching exercises and proper footwear.

Visit our website at www.capitaldistrictpodiatry.com to find more information about ankle injuries and call our office at (518) 273-0053 to schedule an appointment.

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New York Giants’ Prince Amukamara Suffers Ankle Sprain

Prince Amukamara, cornerback for the New York Giants, has recently suffered a mild sprain to his high ankle. The injury occurred during a recent pre-season game against the Chicago Bears. The injury took place with less than five minutes left in the first quarter of the game and Amukamara had to be carted off the field. He is now expected to be out for at least the next several weeks.

With Amukamara out, the Giants are worried about defending their title in this year’s Super Bowl. The timing could not be worse considering the injury took place less than two weeks before the regular season begins. Their starting cornerback, Amukamara, will certainly be out for their first game against the Dallas Cowboys taking place on September 5th.

The injury was originally thought to be a fracture but x-rays showed that it was a high ankle sprain. Ankle sprains result from unnatural motions that often twist the ankle bones and force them out of their proper and comfortable position in your foot. Ankle sprains occur when the ankle is forced out of its natural positioning. It results in severe stretching of the ankle’s ligaments. In more serious sprains the ligaments can actually tear or rip completely.

Since the injury appears mild, Amukamara may recover quickly and be able to return to the regular season without missing too many games. Ankle sprains should not be taken lightly, treated immediately and given the proper time to heal. If an ankle sprain does not receive proper treatment in a timely manner it can result in severe pain, swelling bruising, and even long-term issues with the injured foot. You should ice and elevate the injury as needed in order to relieve pain and swelling. Ankle sprains should also be properly wrapped with compressive bandages to prevent mobility of the ankle during the healing process. Serious sprains, or those left untreated, may require surgery.

When it comes to injuries, just like in sports, your best defense is a good offense. Therefore you should take the proper steps to prevent ankle sprains from occurring. Conduct a proper warm-up and cool-down routine that incorporate your feet in order to maintain the strength of your ankles and increase your balance and flexibility. Remember to stretch throughout the day, exercise for at least 30 minutes every day and purchase properly fitting footwear. If you experience an ankle sprain, contact our office at (518) 273-0053 to schedule an appointment with Dr. Tejas Pandya.

References:

http://www.capitaldistrictpodiatry.com/library/1736/AnkleSprain.html
http://espn.go.com/new-york/nfl/story/_/id/8301173/new-york-giants-cb-prince-amukamara-suffers-high-ankle-sprain

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Lower Limb Surgery

Prevention, proper care, and time for injuries to heal are all important aspects in protecting your feet and ankles. Improper care can lead to more serious injuries, which can result in surgery. That word can sound scary, but surgery is sometimes your best option in keeping your feet and ankles safe and healthy.

Dr. Tejas Pandya has broken down a few foot and ankle surgeries so that you can know the facts and understand how to prevent injuries from becoming severe. They include:

• Heel Spur Surgery: Heel spurs most commonly arise from wearing improper shoes, repetitive stress upon your feet, or as an overuse injury. Heel spurs deserve proper care, but sometimes surgery is necessary as a last resort. Heel spurs can be severely painful to the point where it may affect your daily activities, but surgery can help relieve the pain. Like with most surgeries, the heel will need time to rest and recover. During this time period you should refrain from bearing weight upon your heal in order for the tissue to heal properly.

• Bunion Surgery: Bunions refer to growths that occur on the base of your big toe. Bunions often occur due to ill-fitting shoes, and that is why it is always important to try on shoes before every purchase and never wear shoes that are too small. Most bunions are painless and can be treated without surgery, but in extreme cases it can be necessary. Surgery can help relieve pain and restore mobility in rare cases so that you can resume your typical routine. After surgery your toe should remain wrapped and you should avoid bearing weight on your foot for several days.

• Ankle Fracture Surgery: If you severely fracture your ankle to the point where the ankle joint has become displaced and unstable. Ankle fracture surgery corrects the alignment of either the medial malleolus, which is the bone located on the inside of your ankle, or the outer bone known as the fibula. Your ankle is sensitive and damage to it can lead to uneven weight distribution, the loss of mobility, and even arthritis. It is always important to treat ankle injuries immediately and allow the injury proper time to heal and rest before becoming physically active once again. You want to make sure to prevent further injury and permanent damage.

In order to reduce your risk for surgery it’s important to take precautionary methods to prevent injuries from occurring. If an injury does occur proper care and time to heal is necessary to prevent surgery. If you have suffered an injury to your foot or ankle contact our office at (518) 273-0053 to schedule an appointment with Dr. Tejas Pandya.

References:

http://www.heel-that-pain.com/heel_spur/surgery/heel_spurs_surgery.php
http://orthoinfo.aaos.org/topic.cfm?topic=a00140
http://www.footeducation.com/ankle-fracture-surgery

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Ankle fractures, not just for athletes anymore!

D.C. United’s midfielder, Danny Cruz, was given a sideline diagnosis of a fractured ankle during a game with the Charleston Battery earlier this season. X-Rays taken later that night did not support the premature diagnosis, but it just goes to show you how quickly these injuries can occur, especially during high intensity soccer games. Cruz was benched with two badly bruised ankles after being hit by an opponent.

Elsewhere on the fractured ankle front, on March 15 rapper “Childish Gambino,” was unable to perform at the MTV Woodie Awards because of an ankle fracture sustained during a high energy performance.

Three bones and numerous tendons and ligaments form the ankle so it is important to have an ankle injury evaluated by your podiatrist. Early symptoms include:

    •    Sudden pain

    •    Swelling

    •    Inability to bear weight

    •    Instability

    •    Tenderness when touched

Suffice it to say that due to multiple bones making up the ankle, a fracture can be simple to complex.  In order to diagnose correctly you will need a thorough examination, x-rays, and possibly even a CAT scan or an MRI. Treatment will vary, depending on the severity; however, your doctor’s expertise will guide the way.

Non-surgical treatment usually involves six weeks of immobilization and non-weight bearing inside of a short cast. Displaced fractures are more complex because the bones may be misaligned and require surgery and screw placement to put the bones back into position. While you are in the healing process, you will probably undergo intermittent x-rays, which will help your doctor evaluate your progress. Always listen to your doctor and follow their directions. Once you begin to regain some mobility in your ankle, physical therapy may be required. Your doctor may prescribe exercises for you to do at home, or send you to a therapist.  Either way, do your exercises and follow your strengthening program.  Age, health and whether or not you smoke may be contributing factors to your healing time.

So many variables to ankle injuries require an expert’s advice. If you are injured, call Dr. Pandya at (518) 237-0053 for an evaluation. He has the knowledge and capability to get you set straight. We would like to hear from you if you have a story about an ankle fracture - please comment below!

References:

http://orthoinfo.aaos.org/topic.cfm?topic=a00391
http://www.webmd.com/fitness-exercise/ankle-fracture

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