First Things First: What May Cause of Ankle Pain?
Ankle pain may be the result of numerous and diverse factors and may manifest in different ways. You might feel a burning sensation, a sharp pain when turning it, or as if your ankle were being pressed. Here is a comprehensive list of causes of ankle pain in Georgia and the symptoms they may cause.
- Overuse. Yes, too much of a good thing can be counterproductive 😞. If you haven’t worked out in a while, your muscles, tendons and bones have probably weakened. When you decide to get back on the horse, ease into it rather than start aggressively all at once.
- Wearing unsupportive shoes. Footwear that does not provide enough support makes our bodies work more to maintain stability, which is why you may feel pain in your ankles after a long day.
- Tendinitis. The tendons in your ankle might be inflamed due to excessive pressure.
- Plantar Fasciitis. When excessive stress is placed on the foot or you have flat feet or, on the contrary, cavus foot (a high-arched foot), you may develop plantar fasciitis, which can impact your ankle.
- Neuropathy. A widely ignored but spread condition, neuropathy affects as many as 30 million Americans. When the nerves outside the brain and spinal cord are pressed, the body, including the ankle, gets a pins-and-needles or burning sensation that is difficult to manage.
- Last, but not least: slips, falls and blows. Sudden movements can cause the ankle to break, causing fractures, the most extreme injuries.
- Arthritis. Arthritis is inflammation of the joints, which causes pain and stiffness in the ankle. Unfortunately, it is a progressive condition. However, there are ways to slow down the progression of the symptoms.
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Types of Ankle Injuries
- Sprains. When you roll, twist or turn your ankle in an awkward way or suddenly, you may suffer a sprain, which is the stretching or tearing of the ligaments. It manifests itself with the following symptoms:
- Pain when bearing weight on the affected foot
- Tenderness at the touch
- Swelling
- Bruising
- Limited range of motion
- Ankle instability
- Popping sensation or sound when injured
- Strains. Strains feel very similar to sprains and even happen in the same way, but the difference is that they are caused by stretching or tearing of the tendons.
Fractures. When the ankle bone cracks, it produces a fracture.
Managing Mild Ankle Pain in Georgia at Home: 4 Tips
1. The RICE Method
RICE stands for Rest, Ice, Compressions, and Elevation. When you have suffered a mild ankle injury, first try resting—avoid applying pressure on the ankle. To relieve the swelling, apply ice on the wound. Additionally, wrap up the area with a bandage so as to promote blood circulation. Finally, whenever possible, keep your leg up when sitting; this will drain excess fluid from the area and therefore reduce discomfort.
2. OTC Medications
Non. steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs like ibuprofen can help ease the pain and reduce inflammation. Of course, even though they are over-the-counter, it is advisable that you follow the advice of your doctor on how often to take them and what dosage to take.
3. Applying Heat
Heat promotes blood flow, which makes it so that when applied to a bruised area, pain subsides and the muscle relaxes. However, if the area is swollen, we recommend doing the opposite, as mentioned above, applying ice.
4. Stretching
Stretching exercises go a long way in alleviating ankle pain at home in Georgia. From lifts to rolls, they will help strengthen the muscles around the ankle.
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Ankle Pain: Seeing a Specialist
In some cases, ankle pain does not go away or even worsen with the passing of the hours. When that happens, or you know you have suffered a severe sprain, strain or fracture, it is time to see a specialist. They may indicate the following:
Physical Therapy
In some cases, Dr. Ashford may recommend physical therapy to restore strength and stability. The exercises are designed especially with your specific injury and medical history in mind. A personalized physical therapy plan will put your ankle back on the path to health.
Immobilization
Immobilization restores the properties of support and minimizes friction and wear caused by the weight load on the ankle joint.
Surgery
Ankle surgery can fix structural problems and remove and replace damaged tissues to relieve your pain. There are different types of procedures that Dr. Ashford performs.
- External fixation. During the external fixation procedure, Dr. Ashford inserts screws in the bone on either side of the fracture and connects them to a brace or bracket around the bone, outside your body. This surgery is a temporary way to stabilize your fracture and give it time to begin healing before performing an internal fixation.
- Internal fixation. During this procedure, Dr. Ashford realigns your bones and secures them in place with pieces of metal so that they can heal and grow back together.
- Arthroplasty. If you have fractured your ankle, you might need a replacement. During the procedure, Dr. Ashford removes the damaged joint and replaces it with an artificial one. The artificial joint (prosthesis) can be metal, ceramic or heavy-duty plastic and will look like your natural joint and move in a similar way.
Treating Ankle Pain in Georgia
Ashford Orthopedic Specialists, in our two branches located in Athens and Logansville, are dedicated to providing exceptional care tailored to your needs. Whether you’re seeking diagnosis, treatment, or therapy for a sports injury, our team combines expertise and cutting-edge techniques to help you regain mobility and independence.
Welcome to Ashford Orthopedic Specialists, where we are devoted to keeping you strong, one step at a time.
