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Ankle injuries are among the most common injuries that most individuals experience at least once in their lives. The ankle joint plays a crucial role in providing stability and mobility when we walk or run, with many tendons and ligaments supporting the joint. Hence, the ankle joint is vulnerable to strains, sprains, fractures, and other injuries. Understanding the causes, symptoms, and treatment options for ankle injuries is essential for prompt and effective management, enabling you to recover fully and resume your daily activities without limitations.
While some ankle injuries may resolve with self-care measures, certain signs and symptoms warrant evaluation by an ankle specialist in Singapore:
If you experience any of these symptoms or have concerns about your ankle health, don’t hesitate to schedule a consultation with an ankle specialist for evaluation and personalized treatment recommendations. Early intervention can help prevent complications, promote healing, and restore optimal function and mobility to your ankle joint.
The key to managing ankle injuries is to seek the right treatment early to reduce any risk of further damage. Treatment options for managing ankle injury include:
Rest, Ice, Compression, and Elevation (RICE) are often the initial steps in managing ankle injuries to reduce pain, swelling, and inflammation. Resting the injured ankle, applying ice packs, compressing the area with a bandage, and elevating the foot above heart level can help promote healing and alleviate symptoms.
Over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medications may help to alleviate pain and reduce inflammation resulting from ankle injuries. They can be taken orally or applied topically for short-term relief. We strongly recommend you seek a medical professional before taking such medications.
Severe ankle sprains and fractures typically require a period of immobilisation. A splint, brace, or even a fibreglass cast may be put on for 4 to 8 weeks to stop the ankle from moving. Immobilisation allows the healing of injured tissue and prevents further stress and impact on the ankle.
Custom-made insoles or ankle-foot orthoses are medical devices that stabilise the ankle joint and reduce stress on the injury. They can play an important role in the recovery and preventing recurrence of the injury. Depending on the severity, this may be a long-term solution.
Extracorporeal shockwave therapy uses high-pressure acoustic sound waves to stimulate an increase in blood flow and the release of growth factors. This allows the body’s natural healing process to take place. Shockwave therapies are used for tendon and joint injuries and typically require between 3 to 6 sessions.
Surgery is typically recommended for cases who did not respond to the conservative ankle injury treatment options. Ankle ligament or tendon reconstruction and joint capsule repair are the common procedures for severe soft tissue injuries. Such procedures can typically done arthroscopically (“keyhole procedure”). Severe ankle fractures may require various fixation methods, such as open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF), to restore the bone alignment.
There are steps you can take to reduce the risk of ankle injuries and promote long-term joint health and function. Consider adopting these preventive measures:
If you experience an ankle injury or have concerns about ankle health, consult a healthcare professional for evaluation and personalised treatment recommendations. Early intervention and proper management are key to minimising pain, restoring function, and preventing recurrent injuries.
While both sprained ankles and ankle fractures can cause similar symptoms, there are key differences in their presentation. An ankle sprain typically results in pain, swelling, difficulty walking, and even bruising around the ankle. A fracture often causes inability to bear weight, therefore you can hardly stand or walk. Imaging tests, such as X-rays or MRI scans, may be necessary to differentiate between the two conditions.
Following an ankle injury, it’s essential to follow the RICE protocol: Rest, Ice, Compression, and Elevation. Rest the injured ankle, apply ice packs to reduce swelling and pain, compress the area with a bandage, and elevate the foot above heart level to minimize swelling. Avoid putting weight on the injured ankle and seek medical attention if symptoms worsen or fail to improve.
The recovery time for an ankle injury depends on the following factors:
Mild ankle sprains generally heal within a week or two. However, severe ligament tears or fractures may take up to several months to recover. In any case, rehabilitation is vital in restoring strength, flexibility and function to the ankle.
Surgery for an ankle injury is typically considered in cases of severe ligament tears, unstable fractures, or failure to respond to conservative treatments. However, your recovery goal plays an important factor too. For example, surgery may be less essential for a person with a sedentary lifestyle than for an athlete. Therefore, your healthcare professional should evaluate the extent of the injury, functional limitations, your overall health, and your goal to determine if surgery is necessary. Surgical interventions may involve repairing damaged ligaments, realigning fractured bones, or stabilizing the ankle joint with hardware, such as screws or plates.
Yes, severe or recurrent ankle injuries, particularly those involving ligament damage or fractures, can potentially increase the risk of developing post-traumatic arthritis in the ankle joint over time. The trauma and instability resulting from the injury may accelerate wear and tear on the joint surfaces, leading to cartilage degeneration and arthritis. Early intervention and appropriate management of ankle injuries can help minimize the risk of long-term joint damage and arthritis.
Straits Podiatry (Buona Vista),
31 Rochester Drive,
#02-01 (Hotel Block),
Singapore 138637
Straits Podiatry (Katong),
i12 Katong, 112 East Coast Rd,
#03-01/02/03/04/28,
Singapore, 428802.