Ankle Sprains & Fractures

An ankle sprain or fracture is not only painful, but can have a debilitating impact on daily life activities. If you have an ankle or foot injury, then it is time to talk to a podiatrist for a diagnosis and treatment recommendations. Our podiatric surgeons at Rock Canyon Foot and Ankle can treat anything from simple sprains and fractures, all the way to ankle reconstruction.

Ankle Sprains

An ankle sprain occurs when a person sharply twists or turns their foot in a direction that is not within their ankle’s normal range of motion. Sprain injuries involve stretching, tearing, and even rupturing of the affected ligaments. Ligaments are made of multiple strands of tissue that connect bones to each other at the joints. In the ankle, they act as stabilizers by limiting how far the joint can move from side-to-side. When this limitation is exceeded, a sprain will usually occur. Ankle sprain symptoms often include intense pain, swelling, and bruising of the foot, ankle, and sometimes the lower leg.

Most sprain injuries occur on the outer side of the ankle. The severity of the ankle sprain depends on the extent of the damage to the ligaments themselves. When a sprain involves injury to the large syndesmotic ligament above the ankle, it is called a high ankle sprain. High ankle sprains often cause swelling and pain similar to a regular ankle sprain, but healing and recovery often takes more time.

Sprains should not be confused with strains. Strains are an injury to muscles and do not directly involve ligaments.

Ankle Fractures

Ankle fractures happen when a bone is partially or fully broken. They are often caused in much the same way as an ankle sprain, involving a rolling of the ankle joint outside its normal path of travel. Fractures can vary in severity. A less severe break, such as an avulsion injury, occurs when a small piece of bone is chipped and pulled away. A more severe break might be a shattered ankle involving the tibia or fibula.

Because of the similarity of symptoms, people often confuse an ankle fracture with an ankle sprain. For this reason, it’s always a good idea to get an accurate diagnosis from a podiatrist as early as possible. Treatment of the two injury types are very different. Keep in mind that it is possible to both sprain and fracture an ankle in the same occurrence.

Podiatric Care

A doctor of podiatry specializes in foot and ankle health, and they are among the most qualified to determine the extent of an ankle injury. Whether you’re dealing with a new injury or older wound that’s still needing attention, our caring team of doctors and medical staff are here to attend to your foot and ankle health.  Call us at Rock Canyon Foot and Ankle to set up an appointment with an experienced podiatrist in Denver.