Pain
Do you have pain or discomfort in your ankles or an ankle injury in Flagstaff, AZ that is affecting your quality of life? If so, Basecamp Physical Therapy can help.
What Is an Ankle Injury?
Ankle injuries are those that occur in the ligaments that connect one bone to another in your ankles. Typically, this is caused by the ankle twisting inward, which generally results in small tears in your ligaments. That tearing is what leads to the painful bruising and swelling that makes it hard to put weight on your ankle joint.
Ankle pain can also be caused by damaged, swollen tendons or cartilage. Your tendons are what connect your muscles to your bones and your cartilage is what cushions your joints.
Other causes of ankle pain are an infection in your ankle joint, osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, gout, Reiter syndrome, or other types of arthritis.
The Different Types of Ankle Injuries
The different types of ankle injuries are as follows.
- Ankle Sprains
Ankle sprains are a result of the tearing or stretching of the ligaments in your ankles.
- Tendonitis
Tendonitis is the inflammation of your tendons and is caused by overuse activities.
- Stress Fractures
Stress fractures are also caused by overuse activities; however, these usually develop slowly over time.
- Fractures
These are ankle injuries that cause the bones in your ankle joint to fracture.
What Happens During Physical Therapy?
A physical therapist will evaluate your ankle injury based on your ability to walk and properly move your feet and ankles in different positions. They will then determine if your ankle injury is due to inflammation or something else.
If your ankle injury is due to inflammation, your physical therapy sessions will focus on movements that encourage range of motion and flexibility. Additionally, if your ankles aren’t strong enough to support your weight, strength training exercises might be added as well.
Ankle Conditions That Can be Helped with Physical Therapy
- Plantar fasciitis
- Sprained ankles
- Collapsed arches
- Mobility and balance issues
- Sports injuries
- Achilles tendonitis
- Post-surgical rehabilitation
- Non-specific foot pain
Post-Exam Ankle Injury Treatments
The treatment for your ankle injury will depend on the severity of the injury.
1. Physical Therapy (PT)
Physical therapy in Flagstaff, AZ is the most common treatment for a wide variety of ankle injuries. Your physical therapist will teach you advanced exercises to help strengthen your ankles. Once complete, most people can return to their normal activities comfortably, as well as higher levels of rigorous activity. Fortunately, the strengthening exercises will lessen the chances of you reinjuring yourself.
2. Ice Wrap
Ice wrapped in a towel and applied to your ankle for 15-20 minutes every two hours for the first 48 hours after your injury will help reduce the pain and swelling.
3. Elevation
Elevating your ankle above the level of your heart will help control the swelling.
4. Compression Wrap
Wrapping your ankle in an elastic bandage will help keep the swelling down. However, you should remove the compression wrap at night.
5. Medication
Taking over-the-counter medications such as Ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin, etc.) will help reduce pain and inflammation. Additionally, Acetaminophen (Tylenol) can also be taken for pain.
6. Rest
Resting and not putting unnecessary pressure on your ankle will help prevent any added aggravation or injury to your ankle.
After your initial PT treatment, your physical therapist will proceed with more advanced treatments to help you strengthen and heal your ankle so you can get back to your normal daily activities while lessening the chances of re-injury.
Continued Physical Therapy Exercises
Physical therapy for ankle injuries includes some of the following exercises. Between your physical therapy sessions and these specialized exercises, you should be back to normal as quickly as possible.
- Range of motion
- Stretching
- Strengthening
- Balance
Continued physical therapy treatments are necessary to help strengthen your ankles and lessen your chances of re-injury.
Basecamp Physical Therapists Can Help!
If you are experiencing ankle pain or injury, Basecamp therapists are here for you. Contact Basecamp Physical Therapists in Flagstaff, AZ today and let us help you get your ankles functioning properly so you can get back to a pain-free daily routine.
