01/30/2015
First snow storm of the season in New Jersey and another one coming ahead! With bad winter weather and the hectic pace of life, serious injuries from ice-related falls are bound to happen. Doctors at Prompt Podiatry see a huge spike in ankle sprains and fractures due to falls during icy conditions. What some people take for granted, however, is just how serious a slip and fall can be, and how critical it is to seek prompt treatment to prevent further damage.
Most people are often able to walk after a fall, which leads them to mistakenly believe that they don’t require medical treatment. This attitude can lead to prolonged recovery, and sometimes severe long term results.
If you have an injured ankle, have it evaluated as soon as possible for proper diagnosis and treatment
If you can’t see a foot and ankle surgeon or visit the emergency room right away, follow the RICE technique – Rest, Ice, Compression and Elevation – until medical care is available.
According to the ACFAS consumer Web site, FootHealthFacts.org, there are four key reasons why an ankle sprain should be promptly evaluated and treated by a foot and ankle surgeon:
• An untreated ankle sprain may lead to chronic ankle instability, a condition marked by persistent discomfort and a “giving way” of the ankle. Weakness in the leg may also develop.
• A more severe ankle injury may have occurred along with the sprain. This might include a serious bone fracture that, if left untreated, could lead to troubling complications.
• An ankle sprain may be accompanied by a foot injury that causes discomfort but has gone unnoticed thus far.
• Rehabilitation of a sprained ankle needs to begin right away. If rehabilitation is delayed, the injury may be less likely to heal properly.
Stay warm and safe!
Prompt Podiatry Docs:)