ONE OF THE MOST COMMON INJURIES TO ATHLETES AND AMONG THE ELDERLY.  OUR PODIATRIST WILL EXAMINE YOUR ANKLE AND DECIDE ON THE APPROPRIATE DIAGNOSTIC TESTING SUCH AS X-RAYS CT AND MRI TO REVEAL ANY FURTHER DAMAGE TO THE ANKLE FOOT AND CONNECTIVE TISSUE. ONCE THE TESTS ARE REVIEWED THE DOCTOR WILL DISCUSS WITH YOU APPROPRIATE TREATMENT OPTIONS.

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R.I.C.E.  AND OTHER TREATMENTS

R.I.C.E. ---  REST . ICE. COMPRESSION, AND ELEVATION. THIS IS A TRUSTED METHOD FOR A KNEE OR ANKLE SPRAIN TO ALLEVIATE PAIN, SWELLING AND PROMOTES FLEXIBILITY AND EFFICIENT HEALING.  IN SEVERE CASES, CRUTCHES MAY BE RECOMMENDED AND WEIGHT BEARING ACTIVITIES ARE STRICTLY DISCOURAGED. 

REST:  JUST DO IT!

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ICE:  ONCE YOU HAVE PROTECTED THE INJURED AREA AND STOPPED ANY ACTION THAT MIGHT FURTHER INJURE THE SITE,  PUT AN ICE PACK TO COOL THE SWOLLEN AREA. DO NOT APPLY ICE OR HEAT DIRECTLY ON THE SKIN. KEEP THE ICE PACK ON THE AREA FOR ABOUT 15 MINUTES.  DO THIS 3 TIMES A DAY. AND CALL 718 284 7070 TO SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT. ICE TREATMENT MAY ONLY BE USED FOR 48- 72 HOURS. ONCE THE SWELLING IS GONE, LET INJURY REST, THEN APPLY HEAT TO THE SORE AREA. DO NOT APPLY ICE OR HEAT DIRECTLY ON THE SKIN.

COMPRESSION :  THIS IS ALSO TO REDUCE SWELLING. USE AN ELASTIC BANDAGE  TO WRAP ANKLE AND FOOT. DO NOT WRAP AREA TOO TIGHTLY, MAKE SURE IT IS COMFORTABLE AND LOOSEN IF IT FEELS TOO TIGHT, NUMB, COOL, PAIN, TINGLING, OR SWELLING APPEARS BELOW THE WRAPPING.  AFTER 48 HOURS YOU SHOULD CONSULT YOUR PODIATRIST TO UPDATE THEM ON YOUR PROGRESS AND RECEVE ADVICE TO AVOID FURTHER INJURIES.

ELEVATION: WHILE RESTING ELEVATE LEG WITH THE SPRAIN ON A COUPLE OF PILLOWS, SO IT FEELS COMFORTABLE AND IS ABOVE THE LEVEL OF YOUR HEART TO REDUCE SWELLING.  IT IS IMPORTANT KEEP AREA CLEAR AND PROTECTED FROM ANY WEIGHT.

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ANKLE BRACES

CONSULT YOUR DOCTOR ABOUT  YOUR COMPRESSION BANDAGE, A SPLINT SHORT LEG BRACE OR CAST MAY BE NECESSARY DEPADING ON YOUR INJURY. 

THERAPY

YOU MAY BE ASKED TO GO TO PHYSICAL THERAPY SESSIONS.  YOUR THERAPIST WILL GUIDE YOU AS YOU ACCOMPLISH STRENGTHENING EXERCISES.

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PREVENTION : ATHLETES REMEMBER TO USE BRACES, AND TAPE WHEN APPROPRIATE TO PREVENT INJURIES, AND PROMOTE SAFETY.

MOST ANKLE INJURIES HEAL WITHIN 1-2  MONTHS. SEVERE LIGAMENT, TENDON, MUSCLE INJURIES, OR BONE FRACTURES MAY TAKE LONGER. STAY MINDFUL OF BALANCE AND POSTURE.  ALSO REMEMBER TO PRACTICE GREAT FOOT CARE TO STRENGTHEN LEGS AND ANKLES AND FEET.