Tag: ankle sprain

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Recovery From an Ankle Sprain

Ankle Sprain

It doesn’t take much to get an ankle sprain. Whether you roll your ankle during a workout or step wrong on uneven ground, accidents happen all the time. When you overstretch one of the ligaments in your ankle, it results in a sprain. Sprained ankles are one of the most common injuries you can face in your lifetime and podiatry offices are no stranger to them. Most people stick to at-home treatments for their injuries, which can work in some mild cases.

However, there are plenty of complications that can arise if your sprained ankle is more severe, and you don’t seek treatment. Without proper rest and recovery, you can expect it to not heal well and create long-term issues as you age. Not only are you more susceptible to further injury and repeated sprained ankles, but you’ll likely have a limited range of motion and ongoing pain.

Diagnosing a Sprained Ankle

How can you tell if you’ve sprained your ankle? For a diagnosis, it’s best to seek out the help of a professional. Contact your podiatrist if your ankle doesn’t feel better after 2-3 days of rest – they can help heal your injury. But if you want to have a better understanding of what you could be dealing with, look for these signs and symptoms:

  • Swelling
  • Bruising
  • Pain
  • Tenderness
  • Joint instability
  • Loss of range of motion
  • Difficulty putting weight on your ankle

Recovery From Your Injury

So, you’ve been diagnosed with an ankle sprain (or suspect you will be). What’s next? You’ll likely be working alongside your podiatrist for up to a few months, depending on the severity of your injury. They’ll give you an x-ray to rule out further damage and injury to your foot, bones, and tendons.

Your foot doctor will determine a specific treatment plan depending on your injury. This usually involves applying the RICE regime (rest, ice, compression, and elevation), using bandages or splints, and certain foot and ankle exercises after you’ve healed. For more severe cases, surgery or a physical therapist may be recommended.

If you suspect you have a sprained ankle, it’s crucial to seek help from a podiatrist ASAP! Letting it “heal” on its own without proper treatment is a recipe for disaster. Step By Step Family Foot Care is here to assist you with any of your podiatry needs! To make an appointment with Dr. Debra Manheim, call us at (973) 917-3785 or visit our site to schedule an appointment. The staff at our Parsippany office is ready and eager to help.

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2 Common Running Injuries

One of the many benefits of running is that it keeps you healthy and in shape. It’s an easy sport to get started and doesn’t require much equipment. It is also an ideal way to clock in a workout while social distancing. While running has many health advantages, there is an ever-present threat of getting an injury. Runners’ feet endure the brunt of the punishment than any other part of the body. The stress across bones, joints, tendons, and muscles is part of the trade-off of this form of exercise. Anyone who takes up running as a sport or a hobby needs to pay special attention to their feet and take steps to prevent foot and ankle injuries.

Here are two of the common injuries experienced by runners:

  1. Plantar fasciitis: This injury occurs when the plantar fascia (a thick band of tissue that connects the heel to the front of your foot) becomes inflamed. The inflammation can cause heel pain and stiffness on the bottom of your foot. See your podiatrist if the pain worsens or lasts for two or more days. Plantar fasciitis is also commonly referred to as runners heel.
  2. Ankle Sprains: Often experienced by runners is an ankle sprain. It occurs as you overstretch the ligaments in your ankles beyond their capacity. A sprained ankle can cause a certain level of discomfort depending upon its severity. Everyone is prone to ankles sprains if they are not careful. A severe sprain can ultimately limit your mobility.

If you experience a running injury, contact your foot doctor for the best care. Call Step by Step Family Foot Care located in Parsippany, New Jersey. Dr. Debra B. Manheim and the dedicated staff will help you diagnose and treat your foot or ankle condition. For more information on podiatry related problems, you can browse through our patient education library and blog section.