Broken ankles can be extremely painful. Fractures are often due to an awkward or unfortunate movement. If you've suffered this kind of injury, you know that it can lead to chronic pain and problems with mobility.
In the event of a broken ankle, it's vital to seek medical attention as soon as possible, as this can cause immobility and serious complications if not treated properly.
A broken ankle is a very serious injury that can be caused by different factors. The majority of these cases are caused by an inward turn of the foot, followed by a direct impact of the foot to the ground. Another one is the sudden twisting motion of the foot causing unexpected pressure on the ankle joints. These happen mostly in sports events, slip and fall accidents, car accidents, or activities that put excessive force on the ankles.
If your ankle is broken, you may notice bruising, swelling, stiffness, tenderness, and deformity in the area. An ankle fracture may be difficult to move, especially if the ankle is twisted. The symptoms are present immediately or within a few hours of the injury.
The immediate treatment after a broken ankle could involve the following:
As the ankle heals, you might have to undergo physical therapy to regain mobility and help with the healing and recovery.
The ankle fracture recovery process, whether it be a simple or a complex fracture, can be quite challenging. It's important to get proper support, treatment, and rehabilitation.
For most cases of ankle fracture, the recovery depends on the severity of the injury. Most fractures of the ankle are treated with a cast or a brace that immobilizes the foot to protect it from further injury. It is also common to prescribe pain relievers to relieve the pain on the foot. A physical therapist can also help you restore the strength, flexibility, and balance of the leg. Most people can recover completely within 3 months, but some may need to wear a brace after the fracture heals.
If you are recovering from an ankle fracture, physical rehabilitation is often needed. Do not try to push yourself too much. While you do not want to sit around waiting for your ankle to heal, overexerting yourself will slow down your recovery time. At first, it may be difficult to walk, but with a proper physical rehabilitation program, you can recover from an ankle fracture.
Palm Wellness Center in Tampa provides quality care and customized physical rehabilitation programs to help you recover faster. Call (813) 443-5370 to schedule an appointment or visit www.palmwellness.center for more information.
