Ankle and Foot

the bones and muscles (ankle and foot)

the bones and muscle (ankle and foot)

I have heard that a sprained ankle can be as serious as an actual break. Is this so?

In certain cases, it can be. The term sprain always refers to stretched or torn ligaments, but depending on which ligaments are involved, an ankle injury can be more or less severe.A mild sprain generally occurs when the ligament (anterior talofibular) located at the outer front of the anklebone is injured. Symptoms include moderate pain, tenderness and bruising at the site, but the ankle can still be flexed. Treatment for a mild sprain is reasonably simple: applications of ice to reduce the pain and swelling, followed by firm bandaging or taping and as much rest as possible for several days. Full recovery can take as long as three weeks.Severe sprains usually occurs when a tear of the anterior talofibular ligament is coupled with an injury to any of the other ligaments of the ankle, all of which are essential stabilisers of this weightbearing joint. In such cases, swelling, bruising and pain are more pronounced and more likely to occur on both sides of the ankle; walking or any other movement of the ankle is extremely difficult. In its effects, a severe sprain can be every bit as disabling as a fracture of the bone, and often requires casting to permit proper healing. Once the cast is removed, it is important to start a gradual programme of stretching, range-of -motion and, eventually, strengthening exercises to restore flexibility and help in preventing recurrent injuries.

My causin says that he has a trick ankle. Is there really such a condition?

Yes, there is. A trick ankle is the layman`s term for an ankle in which the ligaments that hold the ankle bones together tend to give way under stress, usually because of a previous ligament injury that has not completely healed. Taping such an ankle can be helpful in preventing new sprains, and so can wearing shoes with flared heels, which help reduce rolling or twisting of the ankle.

I sometimes experience pain in the arch of my foot. What causes it, and what can I do about it?

There are several possible causes, the most obvious being injury to one of the stabilising ligaments in this area of the foot. Pain can also be produced in the transvers arch of the foot as a result of chronic strain, a condition known as metatarsalgia; it can be brought on by supporting too much weight, standing too long, or overindulging in running, jogging or other execsises that invilve repeated pounding of the foot. If your pain is chronic, the best treatment is to eliminate the cause: lose weight, alter your work habits (if possible), ease up on your exercise programme; modifying your running shoes and the use of arch supports may also provide some relief. If the pain is caused by injury, or persists in spite of these simple measures, it may be worth while seeing your doctor; you may have suffered a stress fracture.

A rupture Achilles tendon put my cousin out commission for months. Is this particular tendon more vulnerable than others?

Yes, it is. Because the Achilles tendon connect the leg muscles to the heel of the foot, it is in almost constant use in an active person. Overuse or abuse can result in chronic Achilles tenditis, a common condition among athletes.Less frequently, the tendon will actually rupture, either because of the pressure put on it or because the tendon itself is weak. At the moment of rapture, pain is felt in the form of a sharp blow to the calf, followed by weakness and limping.The pain subsides rather quickly, which actually is unfortunate, because medical attention is essential and it is pain that gets people to a doctor quickly.Treatment of an Achilles tendon injury depends on its severity. Rest and antiinflammatory medications may suffice in a mild case. More serious injuries may require the use of a shoe heel lift to reduce strain on the tendon; pr the foot may have to be placed in a cast. In severe cases, the tendon may have to be sewn back together and the foot placed in a cast for up to two months; followed by four to six months of reserved activity and gradual strengthening exercises.

My aunt complains a lot about her bunions. How can she relieve the pain?

A bunion is a deformity of the foot in which the big toe slants sharply towards its neighbours from a protruding and usually swallen joint. Far more common in women than in men, it is caused by an abnormal alignment or partial dislocation of the bone at the base of the big toe, and is aggravared by tight, pointed or high-heeled shoes.Your aunt has good reason to complain. Depending on the severity of the deformity, a bunion can make walking both painful and tiring. A swollen bunion may grow so large that no shoe will fit over it; there is also evidence that such chronic infammation can accelerate the onset of osteoarthritis in the joint.The best time to treat a bunion is when it first apperas, for the problem can become irreversible in a fairly short time. Consequently, it is important to wear comfortable, properly fitting shoes at all times and to walk barefoot whenever possible so that the pressure on the joint can be relieved and thus help the inflammation to subside. If your aunt suffers from a chronically inflamed andenlarged bunion, her doctor may recommend standard orthopaedic surgery designed to remove the bony protrussion and tralign the deformed joint.

I seem to be developing hammertoes. What actually causes this condition, and is there any way of relieving it?

Although sometimes the result of arthritis or a muscle imbalance, hammertoes are usually caused by a combination of inherited susceptibility and improperly fitting shoes-specially too small. The toes most commonly affected are the second and third, which double up on themselves in a attempt to fit shoe contours. In some cases, hammaertoes can be relieved simply by switching to roomier shoes, but if there is serious disability, surgery may be necessary.

the bones and muscle (ankle and foot)

Ankle and Foot