Posted by Bud Ward on Mon, Mar 22, 2010 @ 11:28 PM
The ligaments surrounding the ankle are surprisingly fragile. A
seemingly harmless motion has the potential to cause serious sprains.
Ankle ligaments are elastic structures that hold the ankle joint
together to prevent (or minimize) excessive twisting and turning that
can lead to injury. These ligaments are able to stretch slightly to
accommodate normal movements, but as with everything, they have an
inherent limit. When they are stretched beyond their natural limits, the
result is a painful sprain.
You probably know the
feeling...
Anyone can suffer from ankle
sprains, from trained athletes to a regular Joe. A few actions that can
lead to ankle sprains are:
- Running, particularly if you
plant your foot at an awkward angle
- Walking on uneven surfaces
- Missing a step while
climbing stairs
You can even sprain your
ankle just from stepping out of bed, if you happen to step down on
something that twists your ankle at an unnatural angle. In fact, 25,000
U.S. citizens sprain their ankles every day, both from athletic
activities and day-to-day missteps.
When you sprain your ankle,
here’s what happens:
Blood
rushes into the injured area, causing inflammation. The ankle swells
up, causing increased sensitivity of the nerves, leading to pain.
Attempting to move the ankle, standing or walking on it can be extremely
painful. The injured ankle might also become red and overly warm
because of the increased blood flow.
Typically, a sprain is minor
enough to heal by itself by the next day. However, if the ankle gets
swollen and standing or walking on it becomes unbearable, a fracture
needs to be ruled out. So be sure to go to the hospital and seek an
X-ray or consult your physician at the very least.
Posted by Bud Ward on Wed, Mar 03, 2010 @ 11:23 PM
If you’re a sports fan, you've probably heard of ACL injuries but do you know how they are treated? In a nutshell, an ACL injury is a tear in the Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL), which is a ligament inside the knee that connects your upper leg and lower leg. It helps keep the knee stable. ACL injuries can range from minor injuries to complete tears, which can cause severe pain and immobility.
What causes ACL injuries?
ACL injuries are common in contact sports, especially football and soccer. If your foot is planted on the ground and something causes your knee to bend backward, twist, or move from side to side, your ACL could tear. Jumping and other sudden movements can also damage the ACL. Therefore, skiers and runners are at risk for ACL tears too. An ACL tear can affect any athlete. In fact, the NASCAR title favorite Denny Hamlin tore his ACL playing baseball, as reported by the Associated Press on January 26, 2010.
Individuals who do not engage in contact sports could also suffer from an ACL injury as a result of falling off a ladder or twisting their knee while climbing stairs. As with the rest of our bodies, the ACL gets weaker and more prone to injury with age, making individuals over 40 at a greater risk for injury.
How will I know if I have an ACL injury?
Typically, the first sign of an ACL injury is moderate to severe knee pain, but there are other symptoms as well:
- A popping noise or sensation in the knee when the injury happens
- Severe knee swelling within the first hour or two after the injury, which could indicate bleeding inside the knee
- The inability to move your knee because of the pain, swelling, or both
- An incredibly unstable feeling in your knee when you try to walk, or if it buckles or gives out on you
Remember, don’t let it go untreated. If you do, you can cause more damage to your knee joint. So be sure to make an appointment with your doctor if you suspect an ACL injury.