Ankle Injury, Function and Chronic Pain El Paso

by Dr Alex Jimenez DC, APRN, FNP-BC, CFMP, IFMCP | Complex Injuries

In the United States, ankle�injury/s like�ankle sprains and strains�happen to�people every day.�Around 50 percent of ankle injuries are�misdiagnosed, and not treated correctly, which can lead to disability or chronic ankle pain. An ankle that is not functioning properly affects the whole body. The muscles on either side of the leg and underneath the foot can present with soreness and pain.

This can lead to:

• Loss of mobility
• Uneven walking gait
• Hip pain
• Back pain

Ankle Anatomy

Three bones are connected to the ankle joint. The lower ends of the shinbone and the lower leg small bone meet to form a socket that the ankle bone sits in. The bottom of the talus rests on the heel bone.

There is around an inch-thick lining of soft cartilage inside the joint. This provides shock absorption for the body’s weight. It is so tough and durable provided there is no injury, it lasts for life. The bones are held together with ligaments and the muscles are attached to the bones by the tendons.

When there is an injury, it can impact the:

• Bone
• Muscles
• Tendons
• Ligaments

Ankle Injury

The standard treatment for ankle pain is R.I.C.E., which means rest, ice, compression, and elevation. Depending on the injury type there is an updated treatment approach that replaces the R with an M, where instead of resting, movement is the more beneficial treatment. This is done to keep the muscles, tendons, and ligaments from swelling, whereas resting would have allowed swelling to set in, thus extending recovery time.

There are certain types of ankle injuries that can be exacerbated by movement so only when it is deemed appropriate, otherwise stick with the rest. Other types of treatment include different techniques of pain control from ibuprofen to prescription meds.

When it comes to severe injuries, like a torn ligament, these could require surgical treatment. X-rays and MRIs are utilized to see if there is an injury and to determine the extent of the injury.

Physical Therapy/Chiropractic

A chiropractor will assess the individual’s source of pain and determine the cause. They will use all the tools available. This includes x-rays, MRI, CT scans, and other diagnostic tools to help them determine the best treatment protocol.

When an ankle injury is new and inflammation has set in along with tenderness, treatment can include:

• Ultrasound
• Iontophoresis
• Whirlpool baths

This is in addition to rest, ice, compression and elevation. As the ankle heals, the inflammation reduces and becomes more stable, ankle adjustments and foot adjustments could be introduced.

Chiropractic can reduce pain without prescription medication and any associated side effects. This is one of the reasons individuals gravitate towards chiropractic. Regular chiropractic can strengthen the ankle, increase its stability and increase mobility and flexibility.

Nerves and soft tissues can also become damaged. Chiropractic therapy promotes blood flow. This speeds the healing process and reduces the chance of further injury. The whole-body approach that chiropractic embraces also deals with a proper diet and a healthy lifestyle like losing weight and exercise. Chiropractic is a very effective therapy for treating ankle pain and injury/s. It is a non-invasive, natural approach to healing that allows and trains the body to heal itself.

Ankle Sprain Treatment

NCBI Resources