According to Dr. John van der Steeg, head of the emergency room at Putnam Hospital Center, a record number of falls have occurred mid-January due to the bad ice storm that has hit the Northeast. “A hundred people a day we were seeing—usually it’s around the mid-seventies. We saw a pretty significant increase, and it was due to slip and fall injuries.” These injuries ranged from broken ankles to twisted knees and blows to the head. Walking across slippery, icy surfaces can be difficult, but it can be avoided if one takes shorter steps and leans forward, keeping the center of gravity over the foot.
To ensure that a broken ankle completely heals, treatment should be sought right away. For assistance, see Dr. Andrew H. Cohen, D.P.M. of the Mid-Michigan Foot and Ankle Center. Dr. Cohen will attend to all of your foot and ankle needs.
Broken Ankles
The ankle consists of three bones- the tibia, the fibula, and the talus. The tibia and the fibula are the two bones that connect to your knees. They sit directly above the talus bone, which is protected by a fibrous membrane and allows slight movement in the ankle joint. A break usually occurs in one of these bones after the foot is twisted too far, a strong impact like jumping from a great height, or repeated stresses like running.
Diagnosis
If you suffer an ankle injury, it is essential that you receive a correct diagnosis. One of the first signs that the ankle is broken is an inability to put any weight on it. There will often be severe bruising and swelling at the sight of the injury. Your doctor may also order an x-ray be taken to determine the exact location and extent of the injury.
Treatment
Without proper care, a broken ankle may not heal properly and could cause arthritis and instability later in life. Therefore, seeking proper treatment is essential to making a full recovery.
There a number of steps you can take to accelerate the healing process however. Elevating your feet above your head and icing the ankle can reduce pain and swelling.
For more information about Broken Ankles, follow the link below.
If you have any questions feel free to contact one of our offices, located in Saginaw and Essexville, MI. We offer all the latest in diagnostic and treatment technologies to meet your needs.