Ankles
Considering their relatively small diameter and delicacy of the bones, ankles are two of the body's strongest workhorses. They provide an enormous amount of support, allow the feet to rotate in nearly every direction, and are essential to balance. Ankle injuries and conditions, including swollen ankles and sprained ankles are among the top work-related disorders.
What are the causes of ankle problems?
By far and away, the most common cause of ankle problems are ankle sprains. Other causes include fractures, infection, arthritis, gout, and degenerative disorders such as osteoporosis.
What are the symptoms of ankle problems?
Since ankles and feet are critical to most daily activities, people tend to notice ankle problems as soon as they occur. Symptoms include:
- Pain, cramps, swelling, or numbness
- Sudden ankle weakness - may come and go
- Change in appearance - redness, bruising
- The area feels hot to the touch and may be accompanied by a fever
Diagnosing Ankle Problems
A thorough diagnosis involves obtaining a detailed history of your ankle problem and performing an examination of your ankle and the surrounding area. To ensure the most accurate diagnosis, we also offer such options as open MRIs, and CT scans. Other tests may include X-rays, a bone density test, blood tests, an EMG, and a discography.
Treating Ankle Problems
Sometimes people get pain relief on their own - taking over-the-counter pain relievers and resting can help. If your ankle pain is due to an injury, is severe and comes on suddenly, contact us for further evaluation.
Treatment options depend on the type, cause, and severity of your condition. In any regard, our goal is to return you to good health without pain. If necessary, we can make a custom ankle brace (orthotic) for you in our office - we have staff specially trained in mold making. After a week - when your brace is ready - we will verify the fit, provide break-in instructions, and answer any questions you have about your ankle brace.
When conservative measures fail to improve ankle function, we will discuss surgery. In most cases, surgery is performed on an outpatient basis using minimally invasive procedures, which reduces pain, risk, recovery time, and expense.