NU609 Advanced Health Assessment Assignments Unit 11 Discussion

Ankle Injuries

A 20-year-old male presents with an inversion injury of his right ankle that occurred while playing soccer. His ankle is swollen, but he can bear weight and has no focal tenderness and no ligament laxicity.

What testing might you want to order for this patient?

What would be the initial therapy for this type of injury?

Your response should include evidence of review of the course material, websites, and literature through proper citations using APA format.

 

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Ankle Injuries

Introduction

Ankle injuries are common in athletes, but they can also occur during other activities. Ankle sprains are caused by a partial or complete tear of the ligaments located around your ankle. The most common spot for this type of injury is on the outside (medial) side of the joint, just above where your toes join your foot. Ligament injuries are often painful because they stretch out important muscles and tendons that support weight on one leg and prevent motion at the ankle joint itself.

What is an ankle injury?

In brief, an ankle injury is an injury to the ankle joint. The joint is made up of three bones: the tibia (shin bone), fibula and talus bones.

The ankle joint is a hinge joint that allows for flexion and extension at both ends of your foot. This means that when you walk, run or jump around on your feet, it can move freely through its range of motion without being locked in place by ligaments or tendons surrounding it.

Painful, swollen ankles can be caused by several things.

• Athletes.

• Older adults.

• Pregnant women.

• People with diabetes.

• People with a previous ankle injury or family history of ankle injuries (such as one parent, brother or sister).

Do I need to go to the doctor?

If you have pain, swelling, or redness around your ankle, you should see your doctor. In addition to the pain or tenderness that could indicate a serious injury and need for further medical attention (such as an x-ray), there are other signs that suggest a visit with a doctor may be necessary:

• You’ve had previous ankle injuries. This includes sprained ankles, broken bones in the foot/ankle area and even chronic pain in these areas due to arthritis or osteoarthritis.

• The injury doesn’t seem to be getting better over time. For example, if someone has an inflammation of their Achilles tendon—a condition known as Achilles tendinitis—and their symptoms continue despite taking rest days from exercise activities like running or biking on a regular basis; then this is likely not just something minor but rather needs treatment from a specialist who can perform more invasive procedures like surgery if necessary

What causes ankle injuries?

Ankle injuries can be caused by a variety of factors. A fall can cause an ankle sprain, for example, but so can overuse or even sports injuries. Some people may twist their ankles as they run and then experience pain in the ankle as a result of the twisting motion. Other times it happens suddenly when you stop running suddenly on pavement or grass; either way, your foot will hit first before your body hits the ground (which is why so many people get sprained ankles when they fall).

When you get injured due to overuse—like running too much—it’s time to take some time off from exercise until you feel better again! You should also talk with your doctor about what might have caused this problem if there are any signs that something like shin splints may lead back into further problems down the road (like bone spurs).

What are symptoms of an ankle sprain?

An ankle sprain is an injury to the ligaments surrounding your ankle joint. It can be caused by a fall, but it’s also common among athletes and dancers who perform high-impact moves involving twisting or turning their feet.

If you’ve suffered an ankle sprain, here are some symptoms to look out for:

• Pain—your foot might feel tender when you walk around with your foot turned inward or outward

• Swelling—the affected area will feel stiffer than usual after activity (like walking)

• Bruising—this is common in cases where there was significant tissue damage

What are predisposing factors for ankle injuries?

There are a number of predisposing factors that can lead to an ankle injury. The most common is a fall or blow to the ankle, but other causes include:

• Weak ankles (i.e., those with reduced muscle strength)

• Flat feet (which predispose individuals to developing unstable joints)

How will my doctor treat my ankle injury?

After your doctor has treated the injury, he or she will likely recommend that you rest the ankle. This means no running or jumping on it and limiting activity as much as possible. Ice can also help reduce swelling and pain by reducing blood flow to an injured area.

After several days of rest, your doctor may recommend elevation of the ankle (raising it above heart level). This can be done by putting a pillow under it while lying down; by placing a small stool under both feet; or even with crutches if walking is limited enough for continued healing without pain relief from elevation alone.

Other treatments include medication (such as ibuprofen), physical therapy sessions with an expert who specializes in lower-body injuries such as sprains and strains; swimming pools where you can swim without putting too much stress on your injured ligaments; wearing supportive shoes when running so that additional pressure isn’t placed on areas affected by injury

How can I prevent future ankle injuries?

• Wear proper shoes.

• Avoid high heels.

• Avoid high impact activities.

• Warm up before exercise and stretch after exercising to prevent injury to your ankles, knees and other joints (such as the Achilles tendon).

Takeaway:

• Takeaway: To prevent ankle injuries, wear sturdy shoes that provide support and cushioning.

• What to do if you injure your ankle: If you injure your ankle, seek medical attention immediately. A doctor may recommend rest or ice for the first 48 hours of an injury to avoid further swelling. They may also prescribe crutches or a wheelchair if necessary.

• How to treat an ankle injury: Treatments vary based on what type of injury you suffered and how severe it is; however, most doctors recommend rest, ice packs (to reduce swelling), elevation (with the goal being 30 degrees from horizontal), compression bandages around sprained ankles and over-the-counter painkillers like aspirin or ibuprofen for mild aches and pains caused by sprains/strains/dislocations

Conclusion

Ankle injuries are common, and they can cause pain and discomfort. There are several things you can do to prevent future ankle sprain injuries or other injuries. If you have an ankle injury, it’s important to be able to recognize the signs of an ankle sprain before it becomes a problem.