Foot and Ankle Injury Treatment

Physical injuries can happen at any time. Unfortunately, these kind of things are a fact of life. When it comes to an injury involving your feet or ankles, it is critical to seek the right kind of medical care. Foot and ankle injury treatment is something that our podiatrists Dr. Nelson and Dr. Nguyen perform on a regular basis. Whether it’s a broken bone, dislocation, sprain, contusion, infection or other serious injury, early attention is very important. Specifically, for foot or ankle injuries, you should seek immediate treatment from a podiatric physician. Often referred to as foot doctors, Podiatrists are true foot and ankle specialists. Call Foot & Ankle Medical Clinic at (972) 414-9800 right away if you are in need of foot and ankle injury treatment.

Ankle Sprain

An ankle sprain is one of the most common causes of ankle pain. A sprain occurs when one or more ligaments that stabilize the ankle stretch too far or tear. You may sprain an ankle after:
  • Stepping on an uneven surface
  • Rolling the foot inward or outward
  • Landing awkwardly
  • Falling
  • Changing direction suddenly during sports
Pain, swelling and bruising often follow. However, not every ankle sprain is minor. A more serious ligament injury may cause significant swelling, instability or difficulty bearing weight. Additionally, some patients develop ongoing pain or an ankle that repeatedly “gives way” after a previous sprain.

Ankle Fracture

A sudden twist, fall or sports injury can cause more than a sprained ankle. Sometimes, one or more bones around the ankle actually break.

An ankle fracture, often called a broken ankle, can range from a relatively stable crack to a more complicated injury that affects the alignment and stability of the ankle joint.

Symptoms may include:

  • Sudden ankle pain
  • Swelling
  • Bruising
  • Tenderness
  • Pain when standing or walking
  • Difficulty putting weight on the ankle
  • Limited movement
  • A feeling that the ankle is unstable
  • Visible deformity in a severe injury

An ankle fracture occurs when one or more bones that form the ankle joint break. The injury may involve the lower end of the tibia, the fibula or more than one bone. Additionally, an ankle fracture can occur along with ligament damage. Some fractures remain properly aligned and stable. Others move out of position or make the ankle joint unstable.

At Foot & Ankle Medical Clinic, our podiatrists diagnose and treat ankle fractures at both of our North Texas locations. Scott Nelson, DPM sees patients at our Garland, TX office. Meanwhile, Hang Nguyen, DPM provides foot and ankle care at our Wylie, TX location. Dr. Nguyen completed residency training in foot and ankle surgery and manages fracture care as part of her practice.

If you think you may have broken your ankle, call (972) 414-9800 or request an appointment.

Foot Fracture

Foot fracture symptoms and scenarios may include:

  • Pain
  • Swelling
  • Bruising
  • Tenderness
  • Throbbing pain
  • Sharp pain
  • Dull pain
  • Painful to put weight on the foot
  • Walking has become challenging
  • Painful when active
  • Changed shape of the foot such as a lump, knot, bump or deformities

As serious as a fracture can be, some people are still able to walk around and perform daily activities as usual. Basically your foot’s ability to bear weight does not rule out a broken bone. However, it is still critical to keep weight off of the foot and REST.

The takeaway here is to have your foot examined by a doctor, period. In the meantime, keep weight off, rest, and keep your foot propped up on some pillows. Foot fractures respond well to rest and elevation.

And as always – if it’s an emergency (such as an obvious break, severe pain, etc) seek immediate medical attention.

Foot and Ankle Injury Treatment 

Immediately after your injury, begin “R.I.C.E.” therapy.  R.I.C.E. = Rest, Ice, Compression, Elevation. During the time between the injury and getting in to see a podiatrist, follow these steps. First, clean all wounds that are bleeding but leave any blisters upopenned. Next apply pressure with gauze. Foreign bodies can be removed if they are on the outside of the skin and easy to get to. Deeper seated pieces of materials will need to be professionally removed.

Foot & Ankle Injury Prevention: 

  1. Wear the correct shoes for your particular activity.
  2. Wear hiking shoes or boots in rough terrain.
  3. Don’t continue to wear shoes if they are unevenly worn.
  4. The toe box in “steel-toe” shoes should be deep enough to accommodate your toes comfortably.
  5. Always wear hard top shoes when operating a lawn mower or other grass cutting equipment.
  6. Don’t walk barefoot on paved streets or sidewalks.
  7. Watch out for slippery floors.
  8. If you get up during the night, turn on a light. Many fractured toes and other foot injuries occur while attempting to find one’s way in the dark. Night lights or motion sensored lighting is a great way to avoid a stubbed toe or a more dangerous trip and fall situation.

Common Myths About Foot and Ankle Injury and Treatment

There are lots of myths about foot and ankle injuries. Some of them are:
  • “I know that it’s not broken because I can move it.” This is FALSE. This kind of thinking has kept many fractures from receiving proper treatment. The truth is that often you can walk with certain kinds of fractures, but this does not mean it is wise to do so. Some common examples are: Breaks in the smaller, outer bone of the lower leg, small chip fractures of either the foot or ankle bones, and the often neglected fracture of the toe.
  • “If you break a toe, immediate care isn’t necessary.” This is also FALSE. A toe fracture needs prompt attention. If X-rays reveal it to be a simple, displaced fracture, care by your podiatric physician usually can produce rapid relief. However, X-rays might identify a displaced or angulated break. In such cases, prompt realignment of the fracture by your podiatric physician will help prevent improper or incomplete healing. Often, fractures do not show up in the initial X-ray. It may be necessary to X-ray the foot a second time, seven to ten days later. Many patients develop post-fracture deformity of a toe, which in turn results in a deformed toe with a painful corn. A good general rule is: Seek prompt treatment for injury to foot bones.
  • “If you have a foot or ankle injury, soak it in hot water immediately.” This is also FALSE. Don’t use heat or hot water on an area suspect for fracture, sprain, or dislocation. Heat promotes blood flow, causing greater swelling, more swelling means greater pressure on the nerves, which causes more pain. Opt for cool, instead of heat. An ice bag wrapped in a towel has a contracting effect on blood vessels, produces a numbing sensation, and prevents swelling and pain. Your podiatrist may make additional recommendations upon examination.
  • “Applying an elastic bandage to a severely sprained ankle is adequate treatment.” Again… FALSE. Ankle sprains often mean torn or severely overstretched ligaments, and they should receive immediate care. X-ray examination, immobilization by casting or splinting, and physiotherapy to ensure a normal recovery all may be indicated. Surgery might even be necessary.
  • “The terms ‘fracture,’ ‘break,’ and ‘crack’ are all different.” Once again, this is FALSE. All of those words properly describe a broken bone.