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Dealing With a Torn Ligament in the Ankle

A twisted ankle is the most common cause of torn ligaments, also called ankle sprains. The foot rolls under and over-stretches the ligament that helps to stabilize the ankle joint. This can occur while stepping off a curb, landing on the foot wrong while walking or running, or playing sports where a lot of running and jumping are involved. Symptoms of an ankle sprain include pain, bruising, a loose feeling in the joint, and difficulty bearing weight. The incident may have generated a popping sound, and the ankle may begin to swell. The first way to deal with a sprained ankle is to cease the activity. Depending on the severity of the sprain, you may wish to see a medical professional, such as a podiatrist, as soon as possible. In the meantime wrapping the ankle to keep down the swelling, keeping it elevated, and applying ice is a good stopgap measure. It is exceedingly important to allow an ankle sprain to heal completely. If this is ignored, the chances are that the ankle will be re-injured, and sprains may become a chronic condition. For more information about an ankle sprain, please consult a podiatrist for an exam and long term treatment plan.  

Although ankle sprains are common, they aren’t always minor injuries. If you need your ankle injury looked at, contact one of our podiatrists from Kutchback Podiatry. Our doctors can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

How Does an Ankle Sprain Occur?

Ankle sprains are the result of a tear in the ligaments within the ankle. These injuries may happen when you make a rapid shifting movement while your foot is planted. A less common way to sprain your ankle is when your ankle rolls inward while your foot turns outward.

What Are the Symptoms?

  • Pain at the sight of the tear
  • Bruising/Swelling
  • Ankle area is tender to touch
  • In severe cases, may hear/feel something tear
  • Skin discoloration

Preventing a Sprain

  • Wearing appropriate shoes for the occasion
  • Stretching before exercises and sports
  • Knowing your limits

Treatment of a Sprain

In many cases, the RICE method (Rest, Ice, Compression, and Elevate) is used to treat ankle sprains. However, you should see a podiatrist to see which treatment option would work best with your injury. In severe cases, surgery may be required.

It is important to ask your doctor about rehab options after you receive treatment for your injury. Stretching, strength training, and balance exercises may help the ankle heal while also preventing further injury.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our offices located in The Woodlands and Woodville, TX . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

Read more about Three Grades of Ankle Sprains

Various Reasons for Ankle Pain

There are many reasons why people can experience ankle pain. These include ailments that range from chronic conditions consisting of arthritis to minor injuries such as an ankle sprain. Ankle pain can happen from damage that has been done to the muscles and soft tissues that support the ankle, and it can interfere with walking. Swelling can often accompany ankle pain, and it is suggested to seek medical attention. An Achilles tendon injury can radiate to the ankle, and this can happen suddenly or gradually. It causes difficulty to stand on tiptoes, and there may be a limited range of motion. Severe pain is generally present if the ankle has fractured, and treatment can require wearing a supportive boot or cast. People who have frequent gout attacks may notice that they have ankle pain. This is considered to be a form of arthritis, and the ankle joints may become inflamed. If you have ankle pain for any reason, please contact a podiatrist as quickly as possible. This doctor can determine what the cause is, and choose the best treatment for it.

Ankle pain can have many different causes and the pain may potentially be serious. If you have ankle pain, consult with one of our podiatrists  from Kutchback Podiatry. Our doctors will assess your condition and provide you with quality foot and ankle treatment.

Ankle pain is any condition that causes pain in the ankle. Due to the fact that the ankle consists of tendons, muscles, bones, and ligaments, ankle pain can come from a number of different conditions.

Causes

The most common causes of ankle pain include:

  • Types of arthritis (rheumatoid, osteoarthritis, and gout)
  • Ankle sprains
  • Broken ankles
  • Achilles tendinitis
  • Achilles tendon rupture
  • Stress fractures
  • Tarsal tunnel syndrome
  • Plantar fasciitis

Symptoms

Symptoms of ankle injury vary based upon the condition. Pain may include general pain and discomfort, swelling, aching, redness, bruising, burning or stabbing sensations, and/or loss of sensation.

Diagnosis

Due to the wide variety of potential causes of ankle pain, podiatrists will utilize a number of different methods to properly diagnose ankle pain. This can include asking for personal and family medical histories and of any recent injuries. Further diagnosis may include sensation tests, a physical examination, and potentially x-rays or other imaging tests.

Treatment

Just as the range of causes varies widely, so do treatments. Some more common treatments are rest, ice packs, keeping pressure off the foot, orthotics and braces, medication for inflammation and pain, and surgery.

If you have any questions please feel free to contact our offices located in The Woodlands and Woodville, TX . We offer the newest diagnostic tools and technology to treat your foot and ankle needs.

Read more about Various Causes of Ankle Pain

Burning Foot Pain and What It Can Mean

Many people experience the feeling of burning foot pain, which can interrupt both their daily activities and their sleep. But what does it mean? Major causes of burning foot pain include peripheral neuropathy, tarsal tunnel syndrome, plantar fasciitis, and Raynaud’s disease. People with high blood sugar may be especially at risk for peripheral neuropathy. This is a nerve condition that blocks normal communication between the brain and the nerves in your feet. Tarsal tunnel syndrome occurs when the posterior tibial nerve in the ankle is compressed, resulting in burning pain. Plantar fasciitis, which is the tearing and inflammation of the band of tissue under the foot, causes both heel and burning foot pain. Raynaud’s disease is caused when the blood vessels in the lower extremities are constricted. This limits blood flow to the feet and may result in burning foot pain. If burning foot pain becomes a regular occurrence, you may wish to consult a podiatrist who can help to determine the cause and offer treatment solutions.

Foot Pain

Foot pain can be extremely painful and debilitating. If you have a foot pain, consult with one of our podiatrists  from Kutchback Podiatry. Our doctors will assess your condition and provide you with quality foot and ankle treatment.

Causes

Foot pain is a very broad condition that could be caused by one or more ailments. The most common include:

  • Bunions
  • Hammertoes
  • Plantar Fasciitis
  • Bone Spurs
  • Corns
  • Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome
  • Ingrown Toenails
  • Arthritis (such as Gout, Rheumatoid, and Osteoarthritis)
  • Flat Feet
  • Injury (from stress fractures, broken toe, foot, ankle, Achilles tendon ruptures, and sprains)
  • And more

Diagnosis

To figure out the cause of foot pain, podiatrists utilize several different methods. This can range from simple visual inspections and sensation tests to X-rays and MRI scans. Prior medical history, family medical history, and any recent physical traumatic events will all be taken into consideration for a proper diagnosis.

Treatment

Treatment depends upon the cause of the foot pain. Whether it is resting, staying off the foot, or having surgery; podiatrists have a number of treatment options available for foot pain.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our offices located in The Woodlands and Woodville, TX . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

Read more about Foot Pain

It's Time for Beautiful Feet

You don't need an excuse to have beautiful nails. Step outside without worrying about the appearance of your feet.

Flexibility and Running

Incurring a running injury can cause physical pain and emotional discomfort. Many people may have to stop their running regime to ensure proper healing and this may be avoided when running injury prevention methods are implemented. Seasoned runners are often aware of the importance of protecting the body while running, therefore injuries may occur more often in runners who are less experienced. The majority of runners have a goal to be pain-free after their running routine is completed and this can be accomplished by properly warming up and cooling down before and after a run. Warming up and cooling down helps prepare the body to be flexible while running, which can also be beneficial in preventing an injury. Additionally, it is wise to gradually increase speed and distance which allows the body ample time to become accustomed to running. Running injuries often affect the feet so if you would like more information about effective prevention methods, please confer with a podiatrist.

Exercising your feet regularly with the proper foot wear is a great way to prevent injuries. If you have any concerns about your feet, contact one of our podiatrists of Kutchback Podiatry. Our doctors will treat your foot and ankle needs.

How to Prevent Running Injuries

Many common running injuries are caused by overuse and overtraining. When the back of the kneecap starts wearing out and starts causing pain in your knee, this is commonly referred to as runner’s knee. Runner’s knee is a decrease in strength in your quadriceps and can occur if you’re not wearing properly fitted or supporting shoes. To prevent runner’s knee, focusing on hip strengthening is a good idea, as well as strengthening your quads to keep the kneecaps aligned.

What Are Some Causes of Running Injuries? 
- One cause of a common running injury is called iliotibial band syndrome.
- Plantar fasciitis is also another common injury.
- Stress fractures can occur from overtraining, lack of calcium, or even your running style.

Best Ways to Prevent Running Injuries
- Wear footwear that fits properly and suits your running needs.
- Running shoes are the only protective gear that runners have to safeguard them from injury.
- Make a training schedule. Adding strengthening exercises as well as regular stretching can help keep you strong and limber and can lessen the possibility of injuries.
- Stretching keeps muscles limber; this will help you gain better flexibility.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our offices located in The Woodlands and Woodville, TX . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

Read more about How to Prevent Running Injuries
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