Is Your Ankle Broken or Just Sprained?
What should you do when you injure your ankle? It’ll be obvious when you need emergency care. If you’re screaming in pain or you can see a bone outside when it should be inside, get to the hospital as soon as possible. But what if it’s not so obvious? Should you see a doctor?
Yes – it’s prudent to seek medical attention from a foot and ankle specialist for an ankle injury. Here’s why:
First, it’s not always easy to tell if you’ve got a sprain or a broken bone (also called a fracture). The symptoms can be the same for both: swelling, bruising, and pain happen when you’ve twisted your ankle and pulled one or more ligaments. But they also happen when you’ve got a fracture. The same is true for putting weight on an injured ankle. You can still walk on a broken foot.
Second, sprained, or broken ankles that don’t heal correctly can give you trouble for the rest of your days. Repeat injuries are more likely. Arthritis can eventually set in at the site of the injury. You’ve got a much better chance that the ankle will heal well when you have the injury evaluated and treated correctly right away.
Finally, the information you might gather from friends, family, or the internet isn’t always helpful. It’s tempting to rely on Dr. Google, but the material posted may not be accurate or reliable. If you live in Fairfax County and injure your ankle, trade Dr. Google for an appointment with an actual board-certified foot and ankle surgeon. Dr. Kenneth R. Wilhelm can order imaging tests such as x-rays, ultrasound, or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), as necessary, to determine the extent of your injury and the best course of treatment.
When you sustain an ankle injury, put your health and healing in professional hands. Call Clifton Foot & Ankle Center at (703) 996-3000 or contact us online.
