Top Three Best Treatments for Ankle Injuries

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Ankle pain can bring your world to a full stop, regardless of how it was injured. Whether it was due to a traumatic event, a sports injury, or just simply a “mysterious” ache or pain, there’s always hope for a speedy recovery.

The expert team at Dr. Jeffrey Lamour, DPM, PA, in Austin, TX, is proud to serve the local community with quality podiatrist services, including the treatment of ankle pain, so that you can conquer adversity and go back to living your best life.

The Top 3 Treatments for Ankle Injuries

Let’s explore the top 3 treatments to get you back in action:

1. The RICE Method: Rest, Ice, Compression, and Elevation

This age-old approach remains a cornerstone of ankle injury treatment. Here’s the breakdown:

  • Rest: Give your ankle a break! Avoid activities that aggravate the pain.
  • Ice: Apply ice packs to the affected area for 15-20 minutes at a time, several times a day. Wrap the ice pack in a towel to prevent skin irritation.
  • Compression: Use an elastic bandage to provide gentle compression and reduce swelling. Don’t wrap it too tight!
  • Elevation: Prop your ankle above your heart level whenever possible to reduce swelling and promote healing.

2. Over-the-Counter Pain Relief

Over-the-counter medications like ibuprofen or acetaminophen can help manage pain and inflammation. Always follow the recommended dosage and consult your doctor for any underlying health conditions.

3. Professional Care from Your Austin Podiatrist

For moderate to severe ankle injuries, or if your pain persists after a few days of home treatment, seeking professional care from our podiatrist is crucial. A podiatrist can diagnose the specific cause of your pain and recommend targeted treatment plans so that you are guaranteed a proper recovery to prevent future complications.

Your Trusted Podiatrist in Austin, TX

Don’t waste another second worrying about how your ankle is limiting your daily life. If you enjoy a full life of sports, work, play, social gatherings, and other functions, you shouldn’t have to miss out on any of them due to ankle pain.

We look forward to helping you take back control of your life.

During your next appointment with the professional team at Dr. Jeffrey Lamour, DPM, PA, in Austin, TX, you can be sure you and your loved ones receive the best quality care and guidance that you deserve.

3 Grades of Sprained Ankles: What to Know

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The terms sprained and twisted when applied to the ankle can mean different things to different people. You might see someone with a severe sprain who is unable to walk, or you might see someone who is still able to run on a sprain. If you saw a podiatrist in Pflugerville, TX, you would see these sprains broken down by grades, which can help people understand how sprains work and when they may need professional help for the injury.

The 3 Grades

Here’s what to know about the three major grades:

  • One: Grade one ankle sprains in Pflugerville, TX refer to the ligaments stretching outside their range. Most of the time, the ligaments won’t tear, though there may be a slight tear. With grade one sprains, you’re likely to get a stiff ankle and light swelling.
  • Two: A grade two sprain will have more severe tears in the ligament, though it won’t go through it entirely. You’ll probably feel pain to the touch, as well as swelling and bruising. However, the ankle will still feel relatively stable despite the moderate pain.
  • Three: With the worst sprain, the ligament will be entirely torn through. You won’t be able to walk on it, and there will be severe bruising and pain. Grade three sprains involve serious swelling, and it’s important to stay off of them as they heal.

Sprained Ankles in Austin, TX

Sprained ankles are a common injury, and not only for athletes of every variety. Just stepping off the curb the wrong way can result in a serious injury. If you’re looking to treat a more complicated sprain, contact the offices of Dr. Jeffrey Lamour, DPM, PA (with locations in Austin and Pflugerville, TX) to learn more about how we can help.

Treatment Options for Ankle Pain

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Many things could cause that pain in your ankle, including injury or chronic disease. Before your podiatrist in Pflugerville, TX, can treat your ankle pain, they must discover the source of your discomfort.

Achilles Tendonitis

Your Achilles tendon is the band of tight tissue that connects the heel of your foot to your calf muscles. And when you cause damage to this tendon, your body will let you know in several ways, including pain that feels as though it’s located in your ankles. Sports injuries are the most common causes of damage to the Achilles tendon, and as long as the damage is mild, such as from overuse, simple treatment plans will help alleviate pain. Treatment may include:

  • Anti-inflammatory medications
  • Simple stretching exercises
  • Orthotic devices, such as wedges worn in shoes to deflect pressure from the tendon
  • Surgery

Osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis is a painful condition that can affect the ankle joint by wearing away the protective cartilage that separates the bones. Treatment for osteoarthritis may include:

  • Pain relieving medications
  • Anti-inflammatory medications
  • Physical therapy
  • Cortisone injections
  • Surgery

Sprained Ankle

Sprains happen when you roll or twist your ankle so severely that it damages the surrounding ligaments. If you’ve ever had a sprain injury, you understand just how painful they can be. If your podiatrist diagnoses a sprained ankle, they may prescribe the following treatments:

  • Wrapping the ankle with an elastic bandage
  • Rest
  • Application of ice
  • Pain medication

If you’re suffering from the discomfort of ankle pain in Pflugerville or Austin, TX, call Dr. Jeffery LaMour, DPM, PA to set up an appointment today. One of our friendly and knowledgeable representatives will be happy to answer any questions you may have.

Sources

https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/achilles-tendinitis/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20369025

https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/osteoarthritis/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20351930

https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/sprained-ankle/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20353231

The Connection Between Ankle Pain and Back Pain

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When you think about ankle pain in Austin, TX, you might not immediately connect it to back pain. The two body parts may seem far enough apart that you would feel it more in your legs than you would in your back. We’ll look at why ankles can be a sneaky cause of back pain (even chronic back pain) and what you can do to help stave it off.

New Walking Patterns

When you hurt your ankle, your body and walking patterns will start to shift to accommodate for the injury. You might limp to avoid pain or start to use new muscles to carry the load. The more you do this, the more strain you put on the rest of the body. It also doesn’t take a severe injury to notice a difference in your back. A podiatrist in Pflugerville, TX can tell you that even a small annoyance can affect your stability, which, over time, can manifest in serious pain.

Treating an Ankle Injury in Austin

The back is already vulnerable to pressure, and this is true even if you never hurt your ankle. The best thing you can do when it comes to an ankle injury is to treat it as thoroughly as you can. This may mean staying off of it for a while until it has the chance to properly heal. From rest to compression, there are numerous home care remedies that can make a difference.

If you’re experiencing back pain with no discernible cause, it might help to visit a foot doctor in Austin. At the office of Dr. Jeffrey Lamour, DPM, PA, you’ll meet an expert who can tell you more about everything from your gait to your weight distribution affects the body as a whole.

Do I Need Professional Care for a Sprained Ankle?

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Ankle sprains are some of the most common injuries an athlete can have, which can lead many people to downplay their aftermath. While most sprains can be treated at home with rest and elevation, the reality is that ankle sprains in Pflugerville or Austin, TX can range in severity. In the most extreme cases, you can end up needing surgery to correct the problem.

What Constitutes a Sprain?

Twisting your ankle and spraining it are technically two different things, with the sprain being the more problematic condition of the two. If you awkwardly come down on your ankle and the pain goes away nearly immediately after, it’s safe to say that you don’t need professional care. However, if you hear something when you come down on the ankle, like a popping sound, or your ankle is about twice the size it was before, it might be time to see a doctor.

Sprains VS. Breaks

It’s not as easy as rotating your ankle to determine whether or not your ankle was broken. With so many bones in this part of the body, it can be hard to tell whether it was broken without an official X-ray — and even the photos might leave the healthcare provider on the fence. If you have questions, talking to a Doctor of Podiatric Medicine in Pflugerville or Austin, TX can help you fill in the blanks.

Podiatrists in Pflugerville or Austin, TX

Your ankles are a confluence of bones, ligaments, and tendons. They hold the leg and the foot together, and it doesn’t always take much force to throw the whole system out of balance. Whether you’re in Pflugerville or Austin, TX, Dr. Jeffery W. LaMour can tell you more about what happened to your ankle, so you don’t have to worry.

Ankle Injuries Austin TX

When Your Ankle Sprain Needs Medical Attention

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Ankle sprains can be tricky for many people, especially when it’s easy to get the word ‘twist’ and ‘sprain’ confused. A sprain is generally much more severe than a twist, and a truly bad one can keep you off your feet for weeks. However, you might reasonably ask: if it’s not broken, do you really need medical attention? The answer is a resounding yes. We’ll look at when it’s time to seek professional help.

The Truth About Ankle Sprains

Most ankle sprains just need time to heal. Your body is trying to mend the ligaments and can usually do so without much help from you. Whether they were merely stretched or torn completely, you may only need ice, compression, and elevation to begin the process of getting back up on your feet.

Sprains can take a while to heal entirely, up to 12 weeks or more. So you shouldn’t necessarily think there’s something wrong if you’re not feeling 100% after a week or two. As long as the sprain is getting better with time and you’re giving it enough space to heal, home treatment may be all that’s needed.

When to Seek Help

You’ll know when a sprain is particularly bad. If there’s a lot of swelling or bruising, you’re unable to bear weight without serious pain, or there’s no improvement after the first few days, it’s time to see a professional.

A severely hurt ankle may not seem broken at first, but X-rays may reveal a small fracture rather than a big sprain. Even if it is a sprain, you may need an ankle boot or crutches to help stabilize yourself if you need to. Since few people can afford to be off their feet entirely for weeks on end, you don’t want to risk breaking the ankle when you undertake necessary tasks.

In more severe cases, you might benefit from physical rehabilitation or surgery. The former can help you strengthen the angle gradually so it can heal properly without compromising your range of motion. Surgery will use metal plates and screws to support the ankle and ensure it can recover from the initial injury.

Icing Your Ankle After a Sprain

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Approximately 850,000 Americans suffer from ankle sprains every year, according to Right Diagnosis. Unfortunately, this common injury can be quite uncomfortable, limiting your ability to walk, run, move, and go about your daily life. Since sprains are so widespread, everyone seems to have a different remedy for them. One simple but effective solution is to ice your ankle. We speak from experience on this issue—Austin podiatrist, Dr. Jeffery LaMour, and our team frequently assist patients with ankle sprains. In the following blog, we go over the basics of sprains, explain how icing your ankle can help, and describe how we can help you.

What is a Sprain?

Many people refer to any sort of ankle injury as a “sprain”, but this disorder actually has a more specific definition. The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons’ Ortho Info page explains: “an ankle sprain occurs when the strong ligaments [the bands of connective tissue that hold a joint in place] that support the ankle stretch beyond their limits and tear.” Chances are, you’ve suffered a sprain: “Ankle sprains are common injuries that occur among people of all ages. They range from mild to severe, depending upon how much damage there is to the ligaments.”

All sorts of situations can lead to a sprain. You could harm your ankle in this way by tripping, falling, wearing inappropriate shoes, exercising too hard, stumbling, or simply holding your foot at the wrong angle. Any activity that twists your leg or foot could put you at risk for a sprain. Everyone should know the signs of this prevalent condition and learn how to care for their ankles.

Sprain Symptoms

You may have suffered a sprain if:

  • Trouble putting weight on the affected ankle. This could be slight (a mild limp or discomfort only at certain angles) or severe (a complete inability to engage in everyday activities).
  • Inflammation. Your ligaments and other tissue may swell as your body attempts to repair the sprain.
  • Discoloration and tenderness due to bruising.
  • “Coldness or numbness in your foot” due to reduced blood flow, according to Family Doctor.
  • “Stiffness” or loss of mobility, due to the discomfort and the fact that damaged ligaments can limit your range of motion.

If you experience any of the above, we recommend that you come and see Dr. LaMour for treatment.

A Cool Cure

Ice is one of the most widely recommended remedies for sprains, and for good reason. Chilling the tissue can be highly beneficial. This simple treatment can:

The Faster Skier blog describes just why icing can be crucial to healing a sprain: “when the body is hurt…physiological reactions begin to take place automatically. The five most recognizable signs of inflammation are: redness, swelling, loss of function, warmth, and pain. Visualize a large flame coming from the injured body part…Icing is a way to ‘put out the fire’ that is occurring in your body.” It helps alleviate uncomfortable symptoms and limit cell degeneration to keep your tissue in top shape.

However, you should ice your ankle with caution and make sure to cool it properly. Family Doctor points out: “the cold can damage your nerves if you leave ice in place too long. You should only use ice for up to 20 minutes at a time.” Dr. LaMour can provide more information about proper icing protocols at your appointment.

Contact Our Austin Podiatry Practice Today

Have you injured your foot? Dr. LaMour can assist with ankle sprains, fractures, athlete’s foot, and a variety of other podiatric conditions. Contact us today to find out more and schedule an appointment.

Original Source: https://www.drjefflamour.com/foot-care/icing-your-ankle-after-a-sprain/

Top 4 Causes of Ankle Pain

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Our ankles are one of the most sensitive areas of our bodies. Most people have probably experienced ankle pain at least once in their lives. It isn’t always easy to identify exactly what’s causing that sharp sting or dull ache in your ankle, however. That’s where your Austin foot and ankle doctor, Jeffery LaMour, comes in. Our experienced, knowledgeable team is happy to help you diagnose and treat any podiatric issue so you can enjoy healthy feet. In this week’s blog, we cover the top four causes of ankle pain, so you can prevent, spot, and treat them.

1. Achilles Tendon Conditions

In the Greek legend, a man named Achilles was completely invulnerable, except for a single spot on his heel. Many modern Americans deal with the same difficult area. The so-called “Achilles tendon” spans from the bottom of he heel up through the calf. Disorders having to due with this tissue often cause ankle pain. Athletes sometimes struggle with Achilles tendinitis, damage and aching due to overuse. A more advanced version of this injury is Achilles tendon rupture. According to Mayo Clinic, this occurs when the “strong fibrous cord that connects the muscles in the back of your calf to your heel bone” tears, or ruptures, “completely or just partially.” Ankle pain is a symptom of both conditions, as well as other injuries relating to the Achilles tendon.

2. Fracture

The ankle is the meeting place of three major bones: the talus, tibia, and fibula. If any one of these breaks, you may experience ankle pain. More severe fractures may be obvious, but if you’re suffering from persistent discomfort and can’t figure out why, you may have a smaller, hairline break in one of these bones around your ankle.

3. Arthritis

Although there are many kinds of arthritis, the vast majority of them can cause ankle pain. The Arthritis Foundation explains: “actually, ‘arthritis’ is not a single disease; it is an informal way of referring to joint pain or joint disease,” and notes: “more than 50 million adults and 300,000 children have some type of arthritis,” making it quite common, regrettably. Since the ankle is a crucial, and often especially sensitive, joint, it is often affected by arthritic conditions. Ankle pain could be a sign that this joint has begun to break down, swell, become infected, or suffer from some other sort of disorder.

4. Sprain

WebMD reports: “Every day in the U.S., 25,000 people sprain their ankle.” This type of injury is so common that patients tend to label virtually any kind of ankle pain a “sprain,” but it does have a more specific, exact definition. Mayo Clinic defines it: “a sprained ankle is an injury that occurs when you roll, twist, or turn your ankle in an awkward way. This can stretch or tear the tougher bands of tissue (ligaments) that help hold your ankle bones together.” Chances are, if you’re dealing with ankle pain, you’ve suffered a sprain. However, since the ankle is a delicate joint and there are many potential causes, it’s important to get it checked out by a foot and ankle doctor like Jeffery LaMour. In addition, a simple sprain could lead to further complications if not appropriately addressed.

Dr. LaMour Can Assist with Your Ankles

Of course, it’s possible that the cause of your particular ankle pain isn’t on this list. If you’re experiencing discomfort at this joint, we strongly recommend you come in for an appointment at our Austin practice. Dr. LaMour will conduct a thorough examination of your ankle, perform any necessary diagnostic tests, pinpoint the source of your discomfort, and provide a customized treatment plan designed just for you.

Do You Suffer from Ankle Pain?

We can help you understand why and provide the treatment you need to find relief. Contact your Austin foot and ankle doctor today to schedule an appointment. We look forward to meeting you!