Ankle Injuries and Pain
Treating ankle injuries
You’ve probably suffered an ankle injury at some point or know someone who has whether you’re a die-hard athlete, a weekend runner or simply someone who turned your ankle while walking. In fact, one million people annually visit emergency rooms with ankle injuries.
The clinical experts at SSM Health Physical Therapy will help treat your ankle injury so you can resume your normal activities as quickly and comfortably as possible. We treat people of all ages who experience pain associated with:
- Sprains
- Fractures
- Achilles injuries
SSM Health Physical Therapy will develop a personalized treatment plan based on your injury and overall goals and help you return to your normal activities.
Ankle injuries we treat
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Ankle sprains are one of the most common injuries in sports. There are two types: low and high ankle sprains. Low ankle sprains are more common and often result from rolling the lower part of your ankle, turning in your foot. High ankle sprains occur when there is an injury to the large ligament above your ankle that joins together the two bones of your lower leg.
Ankle sprains often cause symptoms such as:
- Difficulty bearing weight
- Swelling
- Tenderness
Treatment for ankle sprains typically targets reducing inflammation and promoting healing. Common treatment methods for phase one of healing include:
- Protection – rest, followed by gentle motion and use of crutches, if necessary
- Optimal loading – weight-bearing exercises to stimulate healing
- Ice
- Compression – tape or socks/stockings
- Elevation
For those who experience continued pain or have difficulty walking, your healing journey will include a personalized plan of care from your physical therapist. It will help with your ankle’s mobility, balance, strength, stability and endurance.
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When you experience an ankle fracture (a broken ankle), one or more of the bones that make up the ankle joint are broken. The severity of the fracture can range from moderate pain while walking to the inability to bear weight on the ankle.
Treatment for a broken ankle can vary, depending on the extent of the injury. Our therapist will work with your physician to determine the right time to begin therapy and a specific plan of care to get you back to the things you enjoy.
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Achilles tendinopathy is a common injury in which your Achilles tendon (connecting the calf muscle to your heel bone) becomes irritated, causing pain behind your heel. In many cases, Achilles tendinopathy occurs due to repetitive use of the Achilles tendon. We also treat people with Achilles tears, which require significantly more recovery time, due to surgery to repair the torn ligament.
Treatment for Achilles tendinopathy combines activity modification and physical therapy to restore strength, flexibility and mobility to the injured tendon.
Treating a torn Achilles requires surgery and a recovery process that typically takes eight months to a year before you fully return to physical activity. In this severe case, our therapists will stay in close communication with your physician during the healing process.