One of the best things about life on the outskirts of Houston is the ability to enjoy warm weather throughout most of the year. But for those living with ankle pain, enjoying all that the region has to offer can be a challenge. In fact, even getting through normal daily routines can become complicated when ankle pain arises.
At The Woodlands Sports Medicine Centre, we understand how troubling joint pain can be, and we’re here to offer prompt and accurate diagnostic services, as well as the most advanced treatments in the industry. Many residents of Conroe and The Woodlands, Texas, turn to our staff for sports medicine needs.
If you’re suffering through ankle pain, it’s not always easy to know when to reach out for specialized medical care. We’ve created this guide to help you make the right choice for your needs. Here are six signs that indicate it's time to let us take a look at your ankle to determine the source of your pain.
If you live an active life, joint injuries will likely occur at various points in time. Some are minor in nature and can be addressed with a period of rest and self-care. But if you sustain an injury and develop severe ankle pain within a short period of time, it’s important to see a specialist.
Severe pain suggests significant joint damage. Waiting to receive treatment increases the risk that your injury will worsen, which can complicate your treatment path.
While your ankles can perform a wide range of tasks, there is a limit to how far the joints can flex. Your ankles are primarily hinge joints, which means that most movements occur in a straightforward up-and-down motion, such as when you bend your foot up toward your shin or point your toes downward toward the floor.
Anything that forces the ankle outside of these motions can dislocate the joint. That can cause a visible deformity that will also create significant pain. A dislocated ankle will not heal on its own and requires professional intervention.
As mentioned previously, some minor ankle injuries can heal on their own if you take it easy, elevate the ankle, and use ice to minimize swelling and discomfort. But if these efforts aren’t making things better, it’s important not to wait too long to see a specialist.
Ankle pain that lingers is not likely to improve without medical care. We can quickly assess your ankle and give you a list of treatment possibilities. In many cases, a short time in a splint, boot, or cast is all it takes to resolve a minor ankle injury.
Any time you sustain an injury, it’s essential to keep an eye out for signs of infection. These include a temperature of 100 degrees or higher, as well as changes in the color of your skin near the injury. Tenderness in the area is also a sign of infection, as is warmth in the skin near the affected area.
An infection can quickly become a serious medical emergency and is often more serious than the injury that led to the infection. That’s why it’s critical to seek medical treatment at the first sign of infection.
If you injure your ankle and find that you cannot put any weight on that foot, your body is sending you a clear sign that something is wrong. Don’t attempt to “wait it out” or hope that the issue will resolve itself within a day or two.
Very often, an injury that prevents you from walking normally is advanced enough to require specialized care. Waiting to see one of our specialists increases the risk that additional swelling and tissue damage can occur, which can make it more difficult to treat the injury.
This one is more difficult to define, but it falls under the truth that no one knows your body the way you do. If you’ve sustained an ankle injury and you feel like something within that joint is simply not right, we encourage you to schedule a diagnostic visit at our office.
We can examine your ankle, perform any necessary imaging, and check to see if the joint is healing properly. With all of the advancements in joint health, there’s no reason to accept pain or limited joint mobility as inevitable.
At The Woodlands Sports Medicine Centre, we strive to deliver the very best care to our community. That includes state-of-the-art diagnostic and treatment services for ankle injuries. If you’re dealing with any of the issues outlined here, don’t hesitate to reach out to our office to set up a visit.
You can book your appointment today by giving us a call, or through our online scheduling tool.
