Probably almost everyone has experienced an ankle injury, also commonly known as an ankle "sprain". Most often, it's just a ligament sprain, and the pain subsides after a few days without any serious consequences.
I notice that during shifts, ankle injuries are among the most common in the emergency department. It's no secret that wearing high heels, especially if we're not used to them, also frequently leads to ankle "sprains". But what should you do then? Should you go to the emergency department immediately? Should you cool or heat the injured leg? Should you apply grandmother's recommended compresses? We will discuss these and other questions related to ankle injuries!
WHAT FIRST AID CAN I PROVIDE MYSELF?
1. Cold. In any injury, including ankle injuries, cold is one of the main first aid methods. The injured area should be cooled immediately after the injury. It is important not to place ice cubes or other frozen products directly on the skin (unless they are special gel-filled cooling packs), but to wrap them in a towel to avoid frostbite. Cooling should be done several times a day for 15-20 minutes. Cold is most beneficial for the first three days after the injury (but certainly does no harm later!), as it reduces tissue swelling.
2. Elevating the leg. When sitting, the leg should be rested on an adjacent chair, and when lying down, on a pillow, trying to spend as little time as possible with the leg lowered. This helps reduce swelling and, consequently, pain.
3. Rest. Even if there are no ligament tears or bone fractures, you should still try to walk less for a few days. The surrounding ankle tissues are damaged during the injury, so they need time to heal.
4. Maintaining stability. If you feel that certain movements cause greater pain or that your ankle feels unstable when walking, an orthopedic brace or elastic bandage can be helpful. Immobilization also provides a sense of security, making us feel more confident when walking. However, it is very important not to overtighten the tissues when bandaging with an elastic bandage, as swollen tissues can be further traumatized by pressure.
WHEN TO GO TO THE EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT?
1. If you see an obvious deformity in the ankle area.
2. If you feel numbness in your foot or cannot move your toes.
3. If you cannot bear weight on the injured foot due to pain.
4. If, despite first aid, the leg swells severely and the pain only worsens.
WHAT CAN I EXPECT AT THE EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT?
First, we, orthopedic trauma surgeons, clinically assess the leg, checking for possible movements at the ankle joint, which movements cause the most pain, and on which side we observe the greatest swelling. We also assess whether there are any circulatory or sensory disturbances.
We always perform ankle joint X-rays to assess for fractures. In certain cases, we also perform an ultrasound examination of the ankle, but it is usually not very informative in the emergency department. If a ligament tear or sprain is suspected, we apply immobilization in certain cases.
WHAT TO DO IF THE PAIN DOES NOT GO AWAY AFTER THE INJURY?
After an ankle injury, pain can persist for several weeks, but over time it should decrease or only occur during certain movements. If you visited the emergency department after the injury and your condition did not improve at all or even worsened within 1-2 weeks after the prescribed treatment, you should consult an orthopedic trauma surgeon on an outpatient basis. The doctor, after assessing the situation, may prescribe more detailed examinations (such as magnetic resonance imaging), which we cannot perform in the emergency department, or prescribe rehabilitation procedures.
HOW TO AVOID ANKLE INJURIES WHEN WEARING HIGH HEELS?
1. Ankle injuries often occur due to joint instability. This can arise from an imbalance in muscles or ligaments. Therefore, it would be worthwhile to visit a physiotherapist who, after assessing your foot function, will prescribe exercises to strengthen problematic areas.
2. If you don't wear high heels often, initially choose lower heels with a thicker base; this will make walking easier and you will feel more stable.
3. Try to walk on even surfaces, and if you have to walk on cobblestones or grass, do so very carefully, slowly, and if possible, hold onto a friend's arm :)
CAN I WEAR HIGH HEELS AFTER AN ANKLE INJURY?
When you feel that your ankle no longer hurts during any movements, and you can walk freely, then you can once again adorn yourself with high heels!
Do you have any questions? Write to me, and we will try to find the most suitable solution to your problems together!
Karolina
