Whether you run marathons or just like to spend your weekends on the pickleball court, sports-related ankle injuries can grind your training to a halt! An ankle injury can stall out your training in the moment, but worse, it can potentially lead to long-term complications if you don’t rehabilitate it properly.
Fortunately, the team at Peak Orthopedic Physical Therapy is here to help you manage your ankle injury with a treatment plan tailored to your injury, symptoms, and overall goals. But in order to get treatment, you need to know what to look out for.
Below, we explore some of the most frequent ankle injuries we see in athletes. That way, you can seek early treatment and get back in the game.
Three Ankle Injuries You Should Know
1. Ankle Sprains
Ankle sprains are the leading cause of sports-related ankle injuries. They occur when the ligaments that stabilize your ankle are stretched or torn, typically due to twisting, turning, or landing awkwardly during physical activity. They’re particularly common in sports that involve quick changes in direction (such as soccer) or activities that involve uneven surfaces (like hiking).
If left untreated, ankle sprains can lead to chronic instability and an increased risk of suffering another sprain in the future. In fact, one of the biggest risk factors for an ankle sprain is having had one in the past, making proper rehabilitation with a physical therapist crucial. We’ll help restore the strength and stability in your ankle to minimize your risk.
Symptoms To Watch Out For
- Popping sound or sensation at the time of injury
- Instability or a feeling of the ankle “giving way”
- Pain at the site of the injury, especially when bearing weight
- Swelling around the ankle joint
2. Achilles Tendonitis
The Achilles tendon is located at the back of your ankle and connects your heel to your calf. It can become inflamed through repetitive motions, particularly with activities like sprinting and jumping. Long-distance runners are particularly susceptible.
Many athletes are tempted to ignore the early warning signs of Achilles tendonitis, as the symptoms are generally mild at first. You might notice some pain after an activity that fades with rest. However, if left untreated, Achilles tendonitis can worsen and become chronic, making it much harder to treat.
Our PTs can help reduce your acute inflammation and pain while working with you to restore proper Achilles tendon function through targeted strength and mobility exercises.
Symptoms To Watch Out For
- Heel pain and stiffness
- Swelling near the tendon
- Trouble pushing off the foot
3. Ankle Fractures
Ankle fractures can result from high-impact collisions or awkward landings, which are common in contact sports like football or hockey. An ankle fracture requires immediate medical attention, including a cast or splint to immobilize and protect the ankle.
However, physical therapy plays an essential role in helping you restore strength, mobility, and function throughout the ankle joint, which will help support the healing bone. Guided rehabilitation can also encourage proper bone alignment, reducing your risk of complications.
Symptoms To Watch Out For
- Immediate, intense pain at the injury site
- Significant swelling that develops rapidly
- Visible deformity (bone out of place or ankle appears misshapen)
- Inability to bear weight or walk on the affected foot
Is It A Sprain or a Fracture?
Ankle sprains and fractures might sound similar on paper, but there are some key differences to watch out for. Perhaps the biggest is ankle deformity–sprains do not cause the bone to look out of place.
Another is the severity of swelling and bruising. While both sprains and fractures can cause these symptoms, fractures often result in more dramatic bruising and faster onset of swelling.
Let Us Help You Get Back On Your Feet
The Peak Orthopedic Physical Therapy team is here to help athletes and active individuals fully recover from ankle injuries with tailored, comprehensive physical therapy programs. Don’t wait for the pain to get worse! Schedule an appointment at one of our Rancho Palos Verdes, CA, Redondo Beach, CA, and Torrance, CA clinics to take the first step toward a healthier, more stable future.
