Keep Your Ankles Safe from Fractures this Winter Season
Ice and snow can be beautiful to the eyes, but can play havoc on our feet and ankles. Ankle injuries increase during the winter months and it’s important to have any injury examined to help prevent possible long-term complications from undiagnosed fractures.
Many people mistake ankle fractures for ankle sprains, especially if they are able to walk on the injured foot. The ability to walk on the foot is not a good test to determine a sprain versus a fracture because it is still possible to walk with less-severe injuries.
Mistaking an ankle fracture for an ankle sprain can have serious consequences when the foot does not heal correctly. An ankle fracture involves a crack or break in the bones that form the ankle joint. A sprain involves the ligaments that hold the ankle bones together. Both injuries can happen silmultaneously when the ankle moves beyond its normal range of motion, but a fracture requires more complex treatment than a sprain.
Telltale signs of a fracture include:
* Bruising
* Blisters
* Significant Swelling
* Bone Protrusion from the Skin
Those with undiagnosed fractures can have a higher risk of developing infection, arthritis and foot deformities that may make it impossible to walk normally again.
Don’t let a fall keep you off your feet for too long; call our office right away if you suffer from an ankle or foot injury to make sure you receive a proper diagnosis and treatment.
