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Ankle dislocation: causes, symptoms and methods of prevention
Joints play an important role in maintaining the balance between stability and flexibility. One of the joints that supports the weight of the entire body, regardless of whether we are talking about jumping, running or walking, is the ankle.
The ankle is made up of three bones called tibia, fibula and talus, being the joint that joins the lower leg to the rest of the leg. A common problem is the ankle dislocation, which occurs when the bones move and no longer have a normal relationship from an anatomical point of view.
Read on and discover the types of ankle sprains, causes, symptoms, and methods of preventing this problem.
Contents:
1. Dislocated ankle: causes and symptoms
It is important to know from the beginning that the ankle sprain occurs as a result of an injury involving the breaking of the ligaments that form the ankle. Because of the rupture of the ligaments, the bones separate and cause a real medical problem. Ankle dislocation can occur in many contexts such as sports activities, slips, falls, car accidents and many others. Practically, any activity that includes walking, running and jumping can cause a dislocation of the foot.
Regarding the symptoms, the ankle sprain is manifested primarily by pain and deformations of the joint. For this reason, people who suffer this trauma face problems standing or walking, pain and instability being a common aspect of the day. Following the injury, the ankle swells and even bruises shortly after the dislocation itself, and if the nerves that pass through this joint are inflamed, the person in question may feel a state of numbness in the leg.
In addition, depending on the mechanism of injury, the patient may face other injuries in the area of the leg, knee, and spine. In order to maintain the comfort of the joints in such situations , supplements for bones and joints are recommended, which have the role of maintaining their health.
2. Types of foot dislocation
Ankle dislocations can be of several types, depending on the case. This classification is done taking into account how serious the trauma suffered is and there are three types of ankle dislocation, as follows:
Type I
Type I ankle sprain is characterized by stretching of the ligament or at most its partial destruction. In this case, the mobility of the leg is partially lost and can be recovered much faster than in the case of the other types.
Type II
Type II ankle sprain is much more severe than the first, and the patient feels pain in the calf area when moving the ankle. The recovery process in this case can be a longer one, depending on several factors.
Type III
The last and most serious ankle dislocation is type III. In this situation, the ligaments are completely broken, and the ability to move is lost until the trauma is healed.
Regarding the treatment, it may differ depending on the severity of the dislocation. Simple dislocation cases can be treated even at home by immobilizing the injured area and avoiding its forced movement. By limiting daily activities, by resting in bed and using ice packs, the ankle will recover step by step, until you can walk again without feeling pain.
Instead, in more severe cases, it is generally necessary to immobilize the ankle using a special orthosis or a plaster cast, the healing time being determined by the orthopedist. Following more serious accidents, even a surgical intervention may be necessary to heal the broken ankle.
3. Methods of preventing ankle dislocation
Ankle dislocation can be prevented by avoiding certain activities, when the physical form is not exactly the best. Thus, a welcome recommendation is to maintain a healthy body, both from the point of view of nutrition and from the physical point of view, through the sports activities practiced.
Likewise, regular toning and stretching exercises should not be missing from physical activity, which help ligaments, tendons and muscles to stay strong and flexible. In the case of a dislocation, the after treatment must also include exercises done step by step at the right time using the right recovery accessories and listening to the advice of a physiotherapist. The ankle and knees can be protected with the help of elastic or rigid bands, but also by wearing a special orthosis if the situation is more severe.
In conclusion, traumas such as ankle sprains can be fully recovered, if the treatment and therapy are personalized according to the particularities of each patient. Also, prevention is important, especially to avoid relapses, which can have much more severe effects in the future. Therefore, physical activity is an essential and necessary aspect in every person's life in order to have healthy muscles, ligaments and joints.
Photo source: Unsplash.com.
