Ankle & Foot Treatments in Denton, TX

Ankle pain can be debilitating, so it’s imperative to determine the cause and treatment of your ankle pain. Perhaps you’ve noticed ankle pain while running, rolled your ankle while walking on an uneven surface, or felt an increase in ankle pain as you age.

Ankle injuries can happen anytime to anyone, with approximately 25,000 people suffering an ankle sprain daily in the United States. Ankle injuries also result in over one million visits to the emergency room every year. If you’re asking yourself, “Why is my ankle hurting?” it might be time to visit the experts at Orthopedic Specialists of North Texas.

Types of Ankle Injuries

Ankle injuries are defined by the type of tissue that’s damaged. An ankle injury can be caused by damage to the ligament, tendon, or one of the three bones (tibia, fibula, and talus). Ligaments are strong elastic bands of connective tissue that hold the bone in place while allowing for movement in your ankle. The tendons attach your muscles to the bones to keep the joints stable while letting your foot and ankle move. Injuries to these tissues include:

• Fracture: A break in one or more of the ankle bones.
• Sprain: Damage to the ankle ligaments is typically caused by stretching the ligaments beyond the normal range of motion.
• Ligament sprain: Damage ranges from microscopic tears to a complete rupture or tear of the ligament fibers.
• Strain: Damage to the tendons or muscles caused by being stretched or pulled too far.
• Tendonitis: Inflammation of the ankle tendon.

Additional injuries include subluxation, a tendon slipping out of place, and ruptured tendons.

Common Causes of Ankle Injuries

Ankle injuries happen when an ankle is twisted beyond its normal range, often caused by sports activities or walking on uneven surfaces. High-heeled and loose-fitting shoes are also common culprits for ankle injuries. Injuries can also result from any of the following: 

• Falling or tripping.
• An awkward landing after a jump.
• Sudden impact, such as a car accident.
• Rotating or twisting the ankle.
• Rolling the ankle.

Signs and Symptoms of Ankle Injuries

The signs and symptoms of fracture and sprain ankle injuries are often similar, regardless of the tissue damage. This similarity may result in a fracture being mistaken for an ankle sprain, making it essential for a medical professional to evaluate any ankle injuries. The Orthopedic Specialists of North Texas are proud to offer evaluations to Denton, Grapevine, Southlake, and Keller residents. Signs and symptoms of an ankle injury may include:

• Severe or sudden pain.
• Bruising.
• Swelling.
• Inability to bear weight or walk on the injured ankle. 
• Deformity of the joint.
• Stiffness of the joint.

Symptoms can range from mild discomfort with minimal swelling to intense pain with severe swelling, depending on the level of damage.

Signs and symptoms of tendonitis also include pain and swelling, but the joint is often warm to the touch. An acute tear will cause instability or weakness of the ankle and foot. Tendonitis can develop slowly over time, resulting in symptoms such as:

• Instability or weakness of the ankle.
• Increased height of foot’s arch.
• Sporadic outside ankle pain.

A subluxation causes weakness and instability of the ankle, often accompanied by intermittent pain on the outside and a snapping or cracking feeling around the ankle.

First Aid for Ankle Injuries

After an ankle injury, you can apply first-aid measures to help alleviate the pain and swelling. First-aid measures for ankle injuries include the R.I.C.E. method:

• Rest: Stay off the ankle as much as possible to prevent further damage and promote healing.
• Ice: Ice should help reduce swelling and pain, especially in the first 48 hours after injury. Apply ice for 15 to 20 minutes at a time, every 40 to 45 minutes when possible.
• Compression: A compression wrap or elastic bandage can help keep the ankle supported and immobile to prevent damage and promote healing.
• Elevate: Keep the ankle above the level of your heart as much as possible to reduce swelling and pain.

Stay off the ankle until a healthcare provider evaluates it. You should visit your doctor immediately to ensure proper ankle injury treatment. Ignoring the injury can result in long-term damage, ankle weakness, repeated injury, and arthritis.

Evaluating an Ankle Injury

A medical professional will examine your ankle, including your medical history, and discuss how the injury happened. Your doctor will note the amount of bruising, swelling, and mobility of your ankle to make a proper diagnosis. Imaging, such as X-rays or MRIs, may be ordered to determine whether you broke a bone or tore a ligament. Most pain from ankle injuries can be controlled by over-the-counter non-steroid anti-inflammatory drugs, such as ibuprofen or naproxen. You may also be able to use acetaminophen to control the pain.

Treatment of Ankle Injuries

The treatment for your ankle injury will depend on the type of tissue damaged and the severity. Fractures can be treated with or without surgery, and it generally takes six weeks for the bones to heal. Tendons and ligaments may take longer to heal. You should be able to resume daily activities within three to four months after a tendon or ligament injury, and you can expect a complete recovery resulting in pain-free motion and strength taking up to two years.

Activity modification, bracing or compression, corticosteroid injections to the ankle, pain medication or anti-inflammatory medication, or physical therapy are common treatments for ankle injuries, from sprains to ankle arthritis.

If you live in the Denton, Grapevine, Southlake, or Keller, Texas, area, the Orthopedic Specialists of North Texas professionals provide the best possible care for your ankle injury. Our dedicated surgeons and trained specialists have the experience and knowledge necessary to provide you with the proper care. Contact us , or call us at 940-382-1577 to schedule an appointment. We’re available Monday through Thursday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. and 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Friday. For your convenience, our clinic is at 2535 W. Oak St. in Denton, Texas.