Footballers Ankle: Causes And Treatment In American Fork, UT

What Is A Footballer’s Ankle?

A footballer’s ankle, otherwise known as an anterior ankle impingement, occurs when the ligaments and tendons in the ankle get pinched between the bones. The impingement or pinching of the ligaments or tendons usually results from excessive bending, kicking, or stretching of the foot, which, in turn, causes bone growth at the front of the ankle, resulting in severe pain, swelling, and inflammation.

Causes Of Footballer’s Ankle

Footballer’s ankle usually results from excessive upward or downward flexing of the foot or repetitive kicking. Football athletes are particularly prone to this condition; however, it also affects athletes in other sports such as basketball, tennis, sprinting, and rugby. If you have a previous history of ankle sprains, you can also suffer from a footballer’s ankle, especially if you have chronic ankle instability.

How Do You Get Rid Of Footballer’s Ankle?

There are various treatment options for footballers’ ankles. These include:

Physical Therapy Management: Physical therapies such as electric stimulation, soft tissue immobilization, and ultrasound can be used in the

Low-Impact Exercise: During the rehabilitation period, patients can perform low-impact exercises. After a few weeks, the patients can gradually increase training duration and intensity, given that the exercises do not trigger any pain.

Rest: Physical therapists usually recommend two to six weeks of rest combined with medication to treat a footballer’s ankle and help you return to sports.

Medical Management: Oral anti-inflammatory medications can be prescribed to athletes to relieve pain and swelling.

At Rogers Foot & Ankle Institute, we specialize in foot and ankle treatment, and our trained and experienced podiatrists can diagnose, treat, and rehabilitate nearly all foot and ankle-related injuries. We know that injuries to the ankle and feet are the most common injuries among sports players; therefore, we explore the differential diagnosis of common presentations and act fast to ensure that you access the right treatment. Contact us today. We are ready to help you get started on a journey toward optimal health.

How Long Does It Take For A Footballer’s Ankle To Heal?

Generally, it takes four to six weeks for a footballer’s ankle to heal. If soft tissue or ligaments have been damaged, the injury may take longer to heal.

You should keep weight off your healing foot as this will help it heal faster, and after around six weeks, you may be ready to start physical therapy. You should avoid putting weight on your injured foot until our podiatrists give you the go-ahead.

How Do You Diagnose Footballer’s Ankle?

Making a diagnosis based on the patient’s history and a physical examination is the best approach. A physical therapist will begin by taking a thorough history to determine how you acquired your injury. A standardized history involves questions that seek to determine whether:

· The pain on the foot is exercise-induced;

· Pain is triggered during or after physical activity and alleviated with relative rest;

· The patient is experiencing burning, cramping, pins, needles, or pressure-like calf pain in the foot.

During the physical examination, the therapist will inspect your ankle for swelling, palpate for pain or tenderness, and examine for imbalance or inflexibility of the hamstring. The therapist may also use special provocative tests and imaging such as MRI and X-ray to detect periosteal reactions and confirm diagnoses.

· If no pain is present during palpation, the therapist will consider other leg injuries, such as a stress fracture;

· If other symptoms, such as visible and severe swelling are present, the therapist will consider other leg injuries;

· If pain is present on palpation and no other unusual symptoms are present, the diagnosis of Footballer’s ankle is confirmed.

At RogersFoot & Ankle Institute, we have a team of medical experts who can examine, diagnose, and treat your injury. We understand how important it is for you to regain mobility and return to your regular sporting activities; therefore, we take as much time as is needed to thoroughly examine your injuries and determine the best treatment option for your situation. We treat a long list of ankle-related conditions and can treat your condition, too. Contact us today.

What Is An Ankle Sprain?

Ankle sprains are one of the most common injuries that athletes suffer. An ankle sprain occurs when you excessively rotate your foot outwardly (external rotation) while your foot is positioned in dorsiflexion. It also occurs when an athlete plants their foot on the ground and turns their lower leg inward or gets a direct blow on the lateral aspect of the leg while the foot is planted on the ground.

Another type of ankle sprain common among athletes is the lateral ankle sprain. This type of sprain occurs when an athlete inverts their foot, injuring the lateral ligaments of the ankle.

Ankle Sprains Classification

Ankle sprains are classified using three different grades, depending on the severity. Grade I ankle sprains are clinically mild, the ankle is stable, and radiographic findings seem normal. Grade II ankle sprains are usually associated with a small degree of damage to the syndesmotic ligaments, and radiographic findings seem normal. And Grade III ankle sprains involve complete injury to the syndesmotic ligaments, and it commonly occurs with stress fractures or other foot injuries. The higher the grade of the sprain, the more time it will take for an athlete to return to sports.

Ankle Sprains Treatment

Ankle sprains are treated conservatively with physical therapy. However, suppose imaging shows significant damage to the ankle joint. In that case, surgery is usually the next feasible option, typically involving using fixation devices such as suture buttons or screws to stabilize the ankle joint. Fixation is also recommended if conservative management was used but failed to treat the injury.

If athletes’ injuries require surgical treatment, postoperative care involves:

· Immobilization with no weight-bearing allowed for four to six weeks;

· Introduction to different motion exercises, as well as resistance training a few days post-op;

· Strengthening exercises and progressive weight-bearing under strict supervision; and

· Depending on how serious the injury is, athletes can return to sports after ten to twelve weeks.

If athletes’ injuries do not require surgical treatment, a three-phase rehabilitation program is often used:

·Phase One,

Also known as the acute phase aims to protect the joint while alleviating pain, weakness, inflammation, tenderness, and loss of motion.

· Phase Two seeks to strengthen neuromuscular control, normalize joint mobility, and help athletes return to basic functions in activities of daily living.

· Phase Three focuses on preparing athletes to return to sports.

The podiatrists at Rogers Foot & Ankle Institute treat nearly all of the most common injuries among high school and college athletes, including shin splints, torn knee ligaments, and tendonitis in the knee. We can prevent your injuries from getting worse by determining the best course of treatment so that you can get back on your feet and play any high contact sport.

Why Should You Visit A Podiatrist?

A podiatrist is a medical professional who treats ankle, foot, and related structures disorders. If you are experiencing leg pain every time you take a step, sharp pain when you pull your toes upward, or your feet swell, especially after exercise, you should visit a podiatrist.

Podiatrists treat most common injuries that athletes in high school and college may succumb to in their careers, including:

·Strains;

· Concussion;

·Shin Splints;

· Runner’s Knee;

·Stress Fractures;

· Achilles Tendinitis.

They treat injuries to the knees and foot-related problems that result from medical conditions such as arthritis or diabetes. They also specialize in different practice areas, including workplace health, children, and sports; therefore, you can rest assured that you will get proper health care when you see a podiatrist.

Contact The Foot And Ankle Specialists In American Fork, UT

At Rogers Foot & Ankle Institute, we have experienced doctors diagnosing and treating foot and ankle conditions. We understand that injuries to your ankle can prevent you from performing the simplest tasks, such as walking. Therefore, we examine, treat, and diagnose your symptoms in the shortest time possible so that you can return to normalcy. A muscle strain, Achilles tendonitis, shin splint, knee and ankle sprains are all common, but the good news is that we have got the best professionals to get you back to normalcy.

Our podiatrists are leading experts in the most recent treatments and procedures. They are committed to continuing education, staying at the forefront of podiatric techniques. You can reach us via phone at 801-756-4200 or request your appointment online by filling the form on our website.