Ankle Injuries: Causes and Treatment

Did you know it’s estimated that over 25,000 people sprain their ankle every day?  More than half of those injuries are sports related. Many of the other injuries most likely occur while either walking on unstable surfaces or loss of balance.  Without proper rehabilitation, some pain related to ankle injuries may never truly go away.

The ankle joint consists of several bones, muscles, ligaments, tendons, nerves, and blood vessels that allow for this dynamic structure to give us balance, stability, and most importantly, movement.  Anyone who has sprained their ankle understands very quickly how debilitating loss of function in this joint can be.

The largest numbers of injuries tend to occur in people men between 15 to 24 and women over 30.  There are three general types of ankle injuries: sprains, strains, and fractures. Each type of injury is determined by what structure is damaged. Sprains indicate damage to ligaments. Strains specify damage to muscle and/or tendons. Fractures obviously indicate damage to bone.

The time required for rehabilitation such injuries will vary depending on the severity of the injury sustained.  Mild injuries generally take 2 to 4 weeks before full function is regained. Moderate injuries can take anywhere from 6 to 8 weeks to heal. Severe injuries that fracture a bone or severe a tendon can require 12 weeks to six months; even then full function may never be regained.

Treatment during rehabilitation stage can include but not limited to: rest, ice, compression, elevation (R.I.C.E.); Physical Therapy; Prescription or over the counter anti-inflammatory medications. Drug-free pain relief can also be used during this phase by using a transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulator (tens) such as the Rebound® Health tens device.  

Tens unit therapy offers pain relief in two ways: first, electrical stimulations interrupt the pain receptors in the area of your body telling your brain you are in pain. Second, they stimulate your body’s natural painkillers called endorphins. Tens unit therapy, along with rest and appropriate rehabilitation exercises, can help to potentially reduce recovery time. Be sure to discuss your treatment plan with your doctor.

Own the safe, drug free option that requires no special training to get the relief you've been waiting for.  Call 800.457.0477 or click here to find your pain relief today!