Caring For An Ankle Injury

Getting the proper and prompt treatment you need for your ankle injury is paramount to long-term ankle health. 

Ankles are actually pretty delicate and, as a result, are prone to injury. No matter whether you stepped off the curb the wrong way or were involved in a sports-related accident, many scenarios can impact the health and function of your ankles. From the office of our Fort Walton Beach, Crestview, and Niceville, FL, podiatrists Dr. Cosimo Ricciardi and Dr. Neil Patel, learn more about the common types of ankle injuries and what symptoms warrant medical attention.

Common Types of Ankle Injuries 

The ankle is made up of three bones that are held together by ligaments to form the ankle joint. These three bones are known as the tibia, fibula, and talus. Tendons are responsible for connecting bone to muscles, while ligaments connect bones to bones. The type of injury you are dealing with is based upon what is actually damaged within the ankle, whether it’s a ligament, tendon, or bone.

Common ankle injuries that Dr. Ricciardi and Dr. Patel diagnose and treat regularly include,

  • Strains
  • Sprains
  • Fractures
  • Tendonitis

Warning Signs for Ankle Injuries 

Unfortunately, different kinds of ankle injuries actually present with similar symptoms, which means that a person could think they are dealing with a sprained ankle but actually be dealing with a fracture. This is why it’s always recommended that you visit our Walton Beach, Crestview, and Niceville, FL, podiatrists as soon as possible after an ankle injury for a proper diagnosis.

Common signs of an ankle injury include,

  • Sudden ankle pain that is often severe
  • Bruising
  • Stiffness
  • Swelling
  • Tenderness to the touch
  • Not being able to bear weight on the ankle
  • A popping sound at the moment of the injury
  • Limited range of motion
  • Weakness or instability

Treating Your Ankle Injury 

The treatment or treatments that will work best for you will really depend on the type and severity of the injury. Most ankle injuries will respond to simple conservative measures such as ice, rest, compression, elevation, and pain relievers. Those with more serious injuries may require prescription anti-inflammatory medications to target pain and inflammation.

Those with ankle fractures may need to wear a supportive boot to protect and stabilize the ankle while standing or walking around, or our Fort Walton Beach, FL, podiatrists may recommend using crutches for several weeks. Physical therapy can also help retrain and strengthen the muscles, ligaments, and tendons in the ankle to prevent long-term ankle instability and weakness. If the damage is so severe that it can’t properly heal on its own, or if symptoms aren’t responding to other treatments options then surgery may be the best course of action.

If you are dealing with ankle pain, swelling, or other issues, it’s important that you get the answers and care you need to make a swift and full recovery. Dr. Ricciardi, Dr. Patel, and the team at Emerald Coast Podiatry are here to provide you with the immediate care and treatment you’re seeking in Fort Walton Beach, Crestview, or Niceville, FL. Schedule an evaluation by calling (850) 862-4119.

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Monday:

8:30 am-5:00 pm

Tuesday:

8:30 am-5:00 pm

Wednesday:

8:30 am-4:00 pm

Thursday:

8:30 am-5:00 pm

Friday:

8:30 am-4:00 pm

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Sunday:

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