Displaying items by tag: ankle fracture

You haven’t sprained your ankle—at least not recently—but it hurts and is stiff and swollen at times. This is a complaint we at Superior Foot & Ankle Care Center sometimes hear from our Los Angeles county patients. When an ankle sprain occurs, our podiatrists, Dr. Victoria M. Foley and Dr. Constance Ornelas always stress the importance of prompt and complete rehabilitation. Many chronic ankle issues stem from a previous injury. Below are two types of chronic ankle trouble and what to do about them.

Chronic Lateral Ankle Pain

The characteristic symptom of chronic lateral ankle pain is pain along the outside of the ankle. You may also experience discomfort in your leg along with stiffness, swelling, and tenderness in the ankle. Many patients also report that their ankle feels like it is unstable or going to “give way” especially when walking on surfaces that are not level or when wearing heels. Although the most common cause of chronic lateral pain is a past sprain or injury, there are other possible sources, including:

• Fractures in the ankle joint bones
• Arthritis or inflammation in the joint, joint lining or tendons
• Nerve damage
• Scar tissue

Treatment Options: The treatment for chronic lateral ankle pain will depend on the source. If the podiatrist finds a break in a bone, it may be necessary to immobilize the ankle to allow the bone to heal. Other possible treatments include:

• Anti-inflammatory medications or a prescription steroid
• Physical therapy
• Ankle brace or another type of support

Osteochondritis

The symptoms of osteochondritis often mimic those of an ankle sprain: pain, stiffness, and swelling in the ankle joint. You may also find it difficult to bear weight on the ankle. This condition can affect people at any age and is almost always due to a previous sprain that may have caused lesions or a stress fracture on the surface of the joint.

Treatment Options: The foot doctor will first want to x-ray the ankle that’s bothering you to check for fractures or other injuries. This can be done right in our Long Beach office. At a minimum, the ankle will likely have to be immobilized to rest the joint and allow it to heal. In severe cases, surgery may be necessary to remove bone fragments or cartilage, stimulate new blood vessels, and promote scar tissue.

If you are experiencing ongoing ankle pain or stiffness, contact our Long Beach office at (562) 420-9800 to schedule an appointment.

At Superior Foot & Ankle Care Center, we often find that our Douglas Park/Los Angeles County area patients with ongoing ankle issues assume that this is a condition they have to live with. Not so! Below are some frequently asked questions about chronic ankle pain and instability, including how to best treat it.

What are the signs of a chronic ankle condition?

Chronic ankle conditions may manifest in several ways, including:

• Feelings of weakness or instability in the ankle
• Frequently turning of the ankle
• Pain or tenderness
• Joint stiffness
• Swelling

These symptoms may come and go, but that doesn’t mean they should not be evaluated by our podiatrists, Dr. Victoria M. Foley and Dr. Constance Ornelas.

Why does chronic ankle pain and weakness occur?

Most often, recurring ankle problems are the result of an ankle sprain that did not fully heal. Other causes are:

• Scar tissue
• Ankle joint bone fractures
• Arthritis
• Inflammation of tendons or joint lining
• Nerve damage, such as tearing, pinching, or stretching of the ankle nerves.

The wide range of possible causes is why you need to have ankle discomfort evaluated. Make an appointment at our Long Beach office by calling: (562) 420-9800.

How is chronic ankle pain and instability treated?

The treatment for an ongoing ankle issue will depend on the root cause of the discomfort and the severity of the condition. The foot doctor may prescribe anti-inflammatory or steroidal medications temporarily to relieve swelling and inflammation. Ankle braces and supports can help keep your ankle stable. Physical therapy and exercise can strengthen supporting muscles and improve flexibility and range of motion. In some cases, surgery may be warranted.

It’s important not to put off seeking treatment for chronic ankle problems. If you do, chances are they will only get worse. If you have any troubling symptoms or concerns about your ankle, contact us today.