Ankle injuries are commonly caused by sports and can range from sprains to fractures. Common symptoms involve pain, swelling, stiffness, and difficulty moving the ankle.
Ligament sprains: The anterior talofibular ligament is a ligament frequently sprained in runners by rolling the ankle. This can cause pain, swelling and instability.
Achilles tendon injuries: Achilles strains or ruptures can occur due to lack of an appropriate warm up and poor stretching regime.
Tendinopathy: Overuse or sudden increase in activity can cause injury of tendons, such as the Achilles and Tibialis Posterior tendons, causing micro-tears and stiffness due to poor healing.
Stress Fractures: Tiny cracks in a bone, caused by repetitive force or overuse, can often be seen in weight-bearing bones like the tibia and fibula (bones in the lower leg).
Shin Splints: Also called medial tibial stress syndrome, refers to pain along the inner edge of the shinbone (tibia). It often results from overuse or repetitive stress on the lower leg, common in activities like running or high-impact sports.
Proper warm-up, conditioning, and using supportive footwear can help prevent many of these ankle injuries. Rest, ice, compression, and elevation (R.I.C.E.) are often initial treatments, followed by rehabilitation exercises.
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Severe cases may require medical attention, including imaging and possibly surgical intervention.