Looking for a fun, exciting idea for Valentine’s Day? Everyone makes plans for a fancy dinner, so you should mix it up and consider a night of dancing with your sweetie. Be careful on the dance floor, though! You don’t want to sustain a foot or ankle injury while dancing the night away. There’s not too much that would put a bigger damper on the evening than a stress fracture, sprain, or break.
The three injuries are have similar symptoms and it’s important to understand the differences so you can have a better idea of which problem you have to treat.
- Stress Fracture – This type of thin, hairline crack in your bone develops as the result of repeated force (like when your foot hits the pavement while running). This is a common overuse injury, especially for runners. It is marked by localized, specific pain that starts out minor and progressively worsens without treatment.
- Break – A fracture is typically a more significant injury that results from acute trauma, like a car crash or baseball hitting the body at a high speed. The pain with a broken bone is intense and it will likely be accompanied by swelling, bruising, and discoloration.
- Sprain – While fractures are injuries that happen to your bones, this injury happens to ligaments. In the case of a sprained ankle, a sudden twist or fall will extend the ligament beyond its intended range. There will be immediate pain, swelling, and bruising. Prompt medical attention is best for a quick recovery.
Whether you have sustained a stress fracture, a broken foot, or an ankle sprain, Shenandoah Podiatry is here for you. We offer the attentive care and expert treatment you need to ensure that your foot or ankle issues become history. When you are in pain, let Dr. Jennifer Keller take care of it for you at our Roanoke office. Make an appointment today by calling (540) 904-1458 for our Roanoke office or use our online form.