Advice for Patrick Mahomes and Others with Repeated Ankle Injuries
Super Bowl XVII is now in the history books. If there’s one thing it’s taught us (aside from seeing quite clearly that halftime performer Rhianna is pregnant!) it’s that Kansas City Chiefs quarterback, Patrick Mahomes knows how to tough out a high ankle sprain injury.
It’s not that surprising to our board-certified podiatrist, Kenneth R. Wilhelm, DPM, that Mahomes, who suffered a high ankle sprain a few weeks ago in the conference playoffs, re-injured his ankle during the second quarter of the Super Bowl.
On the one hand, it’s okay. It’s his job to tough it out, take one (or more) for the team, and push through the ankle pain. That’s what elite training and athleticism are all about.
On the other hand, if he were a patient at Clifton Foot & Ankle Center, it’s pretty likely that we would have given him some tough advice: sit out the big game and give your injury time to heal. When a sprained ankle doesn’t heal well, you’re much more likely to injure it again, which sets you up for a lifetime of chronic ankle instability or the constant pain of arthritis.
Mahomes earned the title of MVP for Super Bowl XVII. But his right ankle could bear the price of fame and fortune for years to come.
RICE therapy and a professional assessment
With any ankle sprain, Dr. Wilhelm would advise
- Rest, icing, compression, elevation (R.I.C.E. therapy)
- Medications to reduce inflammation and swelling.
- A visit as soon as possible to our Centreville podiatry office. A thorough ankle check will reveal how badly the ankle is injured, the best course of treatment to recommend, and whether or not surgery to repair the torn ligaments is necessary.
Clifton Foot & Ankle Center is located in Centreville and serves football players, other athletes, and anyone in northern Virginia and the greater D.C. area who needs expert foot and ankle care. For a consultation with Dr. Wilhelm, call (703) 996-3000 or make an appointment online.