Foot and ankle sprains are common injuries experienced by older adults. Foot and ankle sprains affect the ligaments surrounding your ankles, which can be caused by everyday activities such as walking or running for extended periods. Foot and ankle sprain symptoms include sharp pain that usually happens suddenly and is worse when moving. If you’ve experienced foot or ankle sprains, will go over some tips on how to prevent and treat such sprains:
Doing a warm-up before exercising can help prevent foot and ankle sprains. Foot and ankle sprain symptoms include sharp pain that usually happens suddenly and is worse when moving, making it difficult for those who experience foot or ankle sprains to exercise regularly.
Wearing the appropriate footwear for your current activity, such as running shoes if you are currently running can help prevent foot and ankle sprains. Foot or ankle sprain symptoms include sharp pain that usually happens suddenly and is worse when moving which makes it difficult to maintain balance while wearing inappropriate footwear.
Maintaining strength and flexibility of the bones, muscles, and joints can help prevent foot or ankle sprain symptoms such as sharp pain that usually happens suddenly and is worse when moving. Foot sprains injuries occur to the ligaments surrounding your ankles which are typically caused by everyday activities like walking or running for extended periods.
To reduce inflammation and relieve pain, apply an ice pack to the affected area for 20 minutes at a time. Foot and ankle sprains can also be relieved by putting compression wraps on your feet or ankles because it reduces swelling that’s caused by broken blood vessels.
Anti-inflammatory medications can be taken to reduce pain and swelling. Foot and ankle sprains should not get better within a few days of the initial injury because that could mean there is more damage done than originally thought, which requires further treatment from your doctor.
Elevating your foot on the affected side will decrease swelling and increase blood flow so that you can heal faster. Foot and ankle sprains should be checked by a doctor to help determine if there is any nerve or tendon damage, which would require further treatment after an initial diagnosis is made.
A sprained foot and ankle is a common injury, and it can be a painful one. Luckily there are several ways to prevent and treat foot or ankle sprain injuries that will help speed your recovery time. Preventing and treating them properly will help ensure they heal quickly with minimal pain and swelling so you can get back on your feet as soon as possible. Get in touch with one of our experts today.
Injuries to the foot and ankle are among one of the most frequently occurring musculoskeletal injuries. The ankle can be injured doing fairly simple tasks such as walking on uneven surfaces, but it’s usually more severe when people play sports; sprains or fractures often result from these activities. Dr. Stephen Chen is a specialist in treating foot and ankle injuries for athletes and active adults throughout the San Francisco East Bay Area. He provided sideline coverage for NCAA Division I athletics at the University of Cincinnati and Miami University (OH). Since graduating, Dr. Chen has continued his love of sports coverage by volunteering for the San Francisco Marathon, the San Francisco Giant Race, and as the team physician for Northgate High School in Walnut Creek. Being a part of The Center for Sports Medicine allows Dr. Chen quick access to a multidisciplinary team of orthopedic surgeons, podiatrists, physiatrists, and physical therapists to return you to your highest functional level quickly and safely. Click here to contact us for your next appointment!
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