Injuries of the foot and ankle
By Dr. Asef
Today it seems as if everyone is on the run. With a lot of running, especially under stress and with ill-fitting shoes, injuries are more likely to happen. Podiatrists are able to diagnose and treat emergencies involving the foot and ankle. These can include ankle fractures, sprains, injuries to toenails, puncture wounds, foreign body injuries and burns.
Among foot and ankle injuries, ankle sprains are fairly common. A sprain is actually the stretching or tearing of one or more of the ligaments on either side of the ankle. The ligament is a thick band of tissue between two bones and acts like a rubber band. If you stretch it and never allow it to return to its original shape, it will lose its elasticity. This increases the chances of chronic instability and frequent sprains.
Sprained ankles can be complicated with a fracture of one or more of the ankle bones. Symptoms of sprained ankles and fractures are similar - discoloration, pain and swelling. A podiatrist can assess the injury, determine if any bones are broken and the best treatment routine.
Broken toes are another injury that can lead to further complications if left untreated. A common misconception is that nothing can be done for a broken toe and that there is no treatment. Many broken toes can be displaced by something as common as bumping the toe against a piece of furniture. If not properly treated, a displaced toe can cause problems in the future.
Children's bones are not completely developed and they may sustain fractures to the growth plates. If injured and left untreated, deformities may result including shortened bones. Children usually do not complain of pain without cause. If a child limps or complains of pain, seek podiatric medical attention. Sprains and fractures need special attention in children to prevent future problems.
Nail trauma may occur when the toe is stubbed or something is dropped on it. Bleeding under the nail may occur. The nail may then turn black or blue and may eventually be lost. A podiatrist may need to release the blood under the nail and remove part of or the entire nail. An additional injury such as a laceration or broken bone under the nail will need additional treatment. There are special cells that produce the hard nail plate. If they were not injured, there is a good chance a normal nail will return.
Other injuries that podiatrists treat are burns to the foot, thermal (the transfer of heat) or chemical in nature. A chemical burn causes tissue damage. It is important to obtain the name of the chemical to aid in neutralizing the chemical reaction as part of treatment. Burn treatment can range from compresses to debridement, the removal of damaged tissue.
Puncture wounds are likely to occur in warm weather when people are tempted to go outside barefoot. A puncture wound breaks the outer layers of skin and enters the deeper tissue of the foot. A foreign body injury occurs when an object breaks through the skin and becomes embedded within the deeper tissues of the foot.
A podiatrist can assess these injuries, and with the help of x-rays, determine the specific treatment. He or she can also advise if advanced treatment, including surgery may be necessary.
Fiber optic technology and specially designed surgical instruments now allow for specialized treatment of chronic ankle sprains, bone spurs, torn ligaments and other problems involving the ankle joints. A technique known as arthroscopy is used to diagnose and do surgery on the ankle. Diagnostic arthroscopy allows your doctor to examine directly into the ankle joint, through tiny scopes.
The same tiny scopes also enable a doctor to perform various surgical treatments including the trimming and removal of damaged cartilage, loose bones and the repair and reconstruction of ankle ligaments. This type of surgery means less trauma to the tissue, allowing for better healing and the surgery can usually be done on a same-day basis.
Arthroscopy of the ankle joint has proven to be a useful procedure for diagnosis and treatment of the ankle joint problems, with excellent results and a minimum amount of post operative pain or discomfort.
For more information, please contact Dr. Asef at 440-953-1003.
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