Ankle Injuries

An ankle injuries happens when the ankle joint is twisted too far out of its normal position. Mostly, ankle injury occurs either during walking on an uneven surface or sports activities that forces the foot and ankle into an unnatural position.

Ankle Injuries

The ankle is the most commonly injured joint in sports. Ankle sprains represent about 85% of all ankle injuries in North America. While an inversion ankle injury often involves injury to the lateral collateral ankle ligaments, other structures in this area may also be injured. These associated injuries may not be evident until weeks or months after the initial event, and may not present themselves until the patient attempts to return to full activity but is unable to because of persistent pain.

Typical associated injuries include chronic lateral ankle instability, peroneal tendon damage, nerve injury, syndesmotic sprain or tear, and intraarticular cartilage damage. Although the injury may initially seem minor, a thorough evaluation and aggressive, conservative therapy is important in improving the outcome.

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Symptoms

Patients often complain that the affected ankle feels "unstable" or "gives out" frequently
Patients typically feel unsteady when walking on uneven ground or sloped surfaces
Repeated inversion injuries will occur with the slightest provocation
Patients commonly report twisting or spraining ankles every few months with varying levels of severity
Persistent swelling to the anterolateral aspect of the ankle
Bracing or taping may not provide adequate stability

Treatment

Initial treatment involves managing symptoms and biomechanical control. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatories or steroid injections, if used alone, usually do not provide long term relief.

Changes in shoe gear
Functional orthotics are a vital part of treatment, especially when biomechanical abnormalities are present. The need for stability is paramount
Taping and bracing, particularly during athletic activity
Physical therapy such as laser and massage

If conservative treatment fails to provide relief or the ankle is too unstable to be controlled with bracing and orthotics, surgical treatment may be warranted. Surgical correction is based upon the presenting condition and varies from simple repair of ruptured ligaments to complex reconstruction of ligaments with tendon grafts and osteochondral repair of the damaged articular surface. X-rays, MRI,or CT scan may be needed for a complete diagnosis.

As a general rule, Ankle Injuries procedures are performed on an out-patient basis in an Alberta Health Services (AHS) approved Surgical Center or in a Hospital. Surgical procedural costs are covered by AHS or the patient may opt for private surgery to avoid a waiting time. A visit to Feldman & Leavitt Foot And Ankle Specialists will CLEARLY define all available patient options.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Where do ankle injuries typically occur?

What are the most common signs and symptoms of ankle injury?

An ankle fracture may be accompanied by one or more of the following signs and symptoms:

-Pain at the fracture site that can extend from the foot to the knee
-Swelling, which can occur all the way down the leg or be more concentrated at the ankle.
-Blisters, which should be treated as soon as possible
-Bruising
-Reduced walking ability. With less severe fractures, it is possible to walk or bear weight on the ankle. Walking should never be used to determine whether an ankle is fractured.
-Bones that protrude through the skin. This is referred to as an open ankle fracture. Ankle fractures of this type require immediate treatment to avoid complications such as infection. Symptoms of an ankle fracture include pain, particularly with weight bearing, swelling, bruising, and problems with ankle motion.

How to determine if you have Ankle Injury?

Because a severe ankle sprain can frequently mask the symptoms of a broken ankle, any ankle injury should be evaluated by a physician. The majority of ankle fracture patients are treated in an emergency room or a doctor's office. An X-ray of the damaged ankle may be taken by the doctor to determine the extent of the fracture, which bones are broken, how separated or displaced the bones are, and the condition of the bone itself. The X-ray will aid in determining the best course of treatment.

When Ankle Injuries surgery needed?

The appearance of the ankle joint on the X-ray and the specific type of fracture will determine whether or not a patient requires surgery. Surgery is usually required for badly displaced fractures or fractures of both the tibia and the fibula. Because ankle arthritis can develop if a fracture heals improperly, restoring the broken bone's alignment is critical to full recovery. The best way to reduce the risk of arthritis is to get the ankle back to normal as soon as possible. An internal fixation and open reduction is the name of the surgical procedure (ORIF). If the fibula bone is damaged, your foot and ankle orthopedic surgeon will create an outside (lateral) incision at the ankle. If the distal tibia bone is shattered, an inner (medial) incision is performed at the ankle. Through these incisions, the broken bones are properly set and secured with metal plates and screws. Restricted activity and a cast or fracture boot are used to protect the joint as the ankle heals following surgery. Wear the boot or cast until the fracture has healed completely, which typically takes two to three months.

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For more information on Ankle Injuries, book a surgical consultation with one of our board certified podiatric surgeons

For more information on Ankle Injuries, book a surgical consultation with one of our board certified podiatric surgeons

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