Sometimes when you are watching a football match, and you notice some healthcare personnel come on the field to evaluate a players ankle. They are assessing to figure out what type of injury has been sustained. Sometimes the player can return to playing football, but often, the player cannot go ahead with the game and needs to be substituted. The situation we just described above is typical for a dislocated ankle in sports.
Although your ankle is built to withstand intense weight, sometimes falling awkwardly or a sudden forceful impact around your ankle joint can result in dislocation.
In this article, we will be discussing all the details you need to know about a dislocated ankle and how to go about treating it.
Dislocated Ankle: What is It?
The ankle is a hinge joint. It functions in such a way that it transmits the pressure coming from the entire body to the foot.
An ankle dislocation is a severe injury that usually occurs in association with a fracture of the bones around the ankle or tears of one of the ligaments around the ankle. When anything breaks or tears you can expect there to be a lengthy recovery.
Some breaks and tears automatically need surgery to make sure that the injury heals correctly. Then after surgery, the rehab must be extensive to make sure you can do everyday activities without pain. If you are an athlete that rehab is going to need to be even more extensive to play sports pain-free.
Signs And Symptoms Of A Dislocated Ankle
The following signs and symptoms may be seen in a dislocated ankle:
- You feel a sudden onset of intense ankle pain.
- A bump or a deformity is seen in the ankle due to a dislocation of one of the bones of the ankle from the joint.
- It may become challenging to stand or walk.
- A tearing sound may be heard in the ankle during the time of injury.
- Pain at the back, front or sides of the affected ankle.
- Numbness in the affected ankle.
Causes of Dislocated Ankle
Any of the following could be the cause of a dislocated ankle:
- Sports Injuries: Ankle dislocation is widespread in sports that require constant contact between the foot of a player and the ball such as football.
- Fall: The ankle could become dislocated as a result of a fall. Falling from a very high spot could dislocate your ankle and even fracture other bones in the process.
- Accident: A direct force to the ankle during an accident could result in ankle dislocation.
Is Ankle Dislocation A Medical Emergency?
Yes, it is. If you have a dislocated ankle or have someone around you with a dislocated ankle, ensure that you get them to a hospital quickly. This will help to avoid the complications that could result from the dislocation. The key to a successful recovery is what happens after the hospital. Going to see the doctor is step one, rehab is the step that decides how well you integrate back into a healthy life.
Treatment of Dislocated Ankle
- Medical History and Physical Examination: In the medical history, the Doctor will ask you some questions regarding the pain you have been feeling from the dislocation and will proceed to examine you afterward.
- Investigation: The Doctor may request for an X-ray, MRI or CT scan to confirm his diagnosis and to see if there is an associated fracture.
- Treatment: The Doctor will immediately place you on drugs to relieve the pain you might be feeling.
- The Doctor will also go ahead to put your ankle back in its original position.
- Depending on the severity of the injury, the Doctor might refer you to a Physical Therapist or other healthcare providers for rehabilitation.
- Please do not return to any intense physical activity until the Doctor says it is safe to do so.
- The mistake people make with ankle injuries is putting force through them before they are fully healed
Recovery For Active People or Athletes
The reason a rehab must be more intense for an athlete is that you demand more of your body than someone who works at a desk and never workout. When you are doing your rehab being able to walk is not sufficient. You are not ready to return to play until you can:
- Jump
- Run
- Squat
- Land
- Change direction
- Take contact
The best way to make sure this happens is to work with sports medicine healthcare providers whenever possible. Don’t just see a normal doctor when you can see a sports doctor. It will make a huge difference because they understand what it takes to be successful as an athlete when coming back from an injury.
Find The Best Healthcare Providers Using 9INE POINT Health
9INE POINT Health is the best place to start your search for a healthcare provider for a Dislocated Ankle. 9INE POINT Health lets you search for providers by type and skill. You can look for a Physical Therapist that also knows Dry Needling and find the best local options. It does not matter if you need a physical therapist, chiropractor, acupuncturists, sports doctor, registered dietitian, massage therapist or any other form of holistic medicine. 9INE POINT will help you to find and sort through their skills.
If you are unsure where to start your journey, 9INE POINT Health will ask you questions and help you figure out the best starting place. All you have to do is answer a few questions. 9INE POINT Health will connect you with the type of provider best suited for your needs. It does not matter if you are injured or just sore.
The platform makes it easy to compare health providers as they are all given a9INE POINT Number. Once you are shown the best local options, how do you know which is the best? Reading bios and reviews is just not enough because you need more than that. The 9INE POINT Number breaks healthcare providers down by engagement, reviews, and insurances accepted. Getting help for your Dislocated Ankle should not stress you out.
KHO Health was acquired by was acquire by 9INE POINT in the summer of 2019 and is now referred to as 9INE POINT Health.
