Sept2014_PODIATRY PERSPECTIVE:
Ankle Injuries and Rehabilitation
Ankle injuries are often underestimated, misdiagnosed and undertreated by everyday people and medical professionals. However, ankle injuries can often have long-term, detrimental consequences to foot, ankle and lower limb function.
These injuries include the common ankle sprain, ankle and leg fractures and ankle surgery.
Aside from been immediately painful, an ankle injury reduces the range of movement, proprioception (sensory awareness) and strength of the ankle significantly.
A dysfunctional ankle joint leads to excessive foot pronation (collapse) to compensate for the restricted ankle motion. This often results in soft-tissue damage in the ankle and foot, uneven knee loading, hip alignment issues and an ultimately weaker leg.
If left untreated, these complications can often last a lifetime and potentially lead to a myriad of long-term problems including:
– Acquired flat foot deformity
– Osteo-arthritis in the feet, ankle and knee
– Altered walking mechanics.
Treatment and rehabilitation of an injured ankle requires specialized training and experience. However, it can be relatively straight-forward usually involving mobilisation of the injured joint, strengthening and proprioception exercises. Orthotics can also be used if there is abnormal foot mechanics.
For an appointment for the assessment or treatment of an ankle injury or problematic ankle ring Sergio Gonzalez Podiatry on (07) 3425 1777.
