Ankle Injuries

Ankle Injuries Everything You Need to Know About Sports Most Common Affliction

With the Chinese New Year break over and the weather getting ready to warm up, many of us are eager to hit the sports field or go for a run in the park. Whether you’re having a kickabout with friends or getting back into a serious training routine, you need to take care of your joints. Activities such as running, football and badminton are high-impact and put stress on weight-bearing joints, such as hips, knees and ankles.

In fact, ankle injuries are the most common sports-related injury of all, with roughly half of all ankle sprains occurring during an athletic activity according to the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons. So, what’s the best way to reduce the risk of damage, and what should you do if you injure your ankle? Read on for our tips.

HOW TO PREVENT INJURIES

1. Don’t Forget to Stretch

Stretching before high-impact activities keeps the ligaments and tendons around the ankle flexible and responsive, reducing the risk of tears and ruptures. It takes less than a minute to do, but is absolutely essential. Simply roll your ankle a full 360 degrees clockwise 8-10 times, then anticlockwise another 8-10 times. Repeat with the other ankle. You can do this either sitting down or standing up.

2. Choose the Right Footwear

Even walking can seem less than straightforward if the footwear is faulty. We can’t stress enough how many ankle injuries could be avoided by simply wearing proper shoes. Athletic footwear is designed to provide shock absorption, protecting your ankle joints from the stress being put on them. What’s more, appropriate shoes are sport-specific; football boots offer a different kind of support than basketball shoes because the physical engagement is different. So it pays to invest in a pair for each sport you play. And remember, “If the shoe fits, wear it!”

risk of wear and tear. Ideally, you should be running on a completely flat surface, which means you may have to sidestep the sidewalk in favor of a running track, or swap your patchy football field for some artificial turf.

SPRAINS VS. FRACTURES

What’s the difference?

A sprain occurs when the ligaments in the ankle are damaged. Ligaments are the stretchy bands of tissue that keep the joint in place, but they can be stretched too far and tear. A fracture is when one or more of the three bones in the ankle breaks.

How can I tell which one it is?

It can be difficult to know straight away whether the injury is a sprain or a fracture. Symptoms for both are often similar, e.g. bruising/swelling and not being able to put weight on the ankle. But there are some tell-tale signs:

1. Was there a sound?

A popping sound usually indicates a sprain (a possible ligament tear), whereas a “crack” suggests a potential fracture.

2. Where is the pain?

A sprain would usually be felt in the soft part of the joint. If it feels painful directly over the ankle bone, you may have broken it.

3. Can you put any weight on it?

With a minor-to-moderate sprain, it may be possible to put a bit of weight on your ankle, but a fracture will be extremely painful and difficult to stand on.

Immediate bruising/swelling tends to indicate a sprain; the larger the area affected, the more severe the sprain.

5. Does the ankle look twisted?

Bruising and swelling are symptoms of both injuries, but an ankle that looks crooked is more likely to be because of a broken bone.

Fractures are more serious, right?

This is often the case, though not always. It depends on the severity of the sprain. Sometimes the ligaments can completely rupture, causing the joint to become destabilized, and this may require surgery and immobilization. It might be surprising, but moderate fractures and severe sprains can have roughly the same recovery time, substantially improving in six weeks, and healing in around three months.

What to Do with an Injury 1. Stop, Don’t Move

Whatever the severity of the injury, stop playing immediately so as to avoid further damage. If it’s a serious injury, do not attempt to keep walking or even moving. This will aggravate the pain and damage to the joint. Most importantly, try not to put weight on the injured ankle. Sit down, take a breather, and, if possible, keep your ankle elevated from the ground.

2. Apply Ice

In the event of a moderate-to-severe injury, ice is your best friend. It will reduce the swelling, relieve the pain and minimize muscle spasms. If there’s no ice to hand, a pack of frozen peas or

sweetcorn will be just as effective. Put a towel or something else between the ice pack and your skin to avoid ice burn.

3. Seek Medical Attention

If you’ve suffered a fracture or severe sprain, seek medical help immediately. An orthopedic specialist will be able to assess the severity of your injury and recommend appropriate treatment.

Treatments Treatment for an injured ankle depends on the type and severity of the injury. Your doctor will conduct a detailed assessment of your ankle and create a treatment plan accordingly.

Sprains

Most sprains are minor to moderate, and require less medical intervention. Your doctor may recommend:

● anti-inflammatory drugs, e.g. ibuprofen

● regular application of ice

● compression (with an elastic bandage)

● resting and keeping the ankle elevated

● physical therapy (for moderate sprains)*

More severe sprains may require immobilization and/or surgery.

Fractures

If your ankle is fractured, it will need to be immobilized, which usually means wearing a cast or using crutches. Your doctor may also try to align the bones to aid recovery. If this fails to stabilize the fracture, you might require surgery.

What’s the recovery time?

This also depends on the severity of the injury. Minor sprains can heal within a few days, whereas moderate-to-severe sprains and fractures can take six weeks or more. You can return to your usual activities when you can walk fully without pain. If you return too soon, your condition may worsen. A doctor and nurse will show you how to monitor your recovery progress. For appointments at Jiahui Health call 400 868 3000, or visit their website www.jiahui.com

About Jiahui Orthopedics and Sports Medical Center

Equipped with medical imaging diagnostic equipment, operation center and rehabilitation facilities, Jiahui Orthopedics and Sports Medical Center provides one-step services in prevention, diagnosis, treatment and rehabilitation to sports enthusiasts, office clerks and general population. The scope of services includes the diagnosis of sports-induced injuries and other musculoskeletal disorders, orthopedic surgery, physiotherapy and rehabilitation, manipulation, Chinese acupuncture, chronic pain management and guidance in injury prevention.

About Jiahui Health

Jiahui Health’s integrated healthcare system includes a 500-bed international hospital, clinics, a wellness center, and a team of healthcare professionals from across the globe. Jiahui provides reliable, and comprehensive international healthcare services for people at all stages of life, including health management, outpatient care, inpatient and emergency services, and international medicine. Through its unique collaboration with Massachusetts General Hospital, Jiahui Health brings highquality global healthcare resources and China’s advanced medical expertise to patients.