While practicing her beam dismount, Rachel Gowey, a sixteen-year-old aspiring gymnast, fell and unfortunately broke her right ankle. The young athlete was preparing for this year’s upcoming U.S. Gymnastics Championships and had already restricted herself to competing in only two events due to a prior unrelated ankle injury. With this broken ankle, however, Gowey may be unable to participate at all.
Gowey trains at the same gymnasium Olympic champions Gabby Douglas and Shawn Johnson had once practiced at, by her coach Liang Chow. The young gymnast had placed fifth at the international Cup of Jesolo and fourth at the U.S. Classic earlier this year.
Broken ankles require immediate medical attention. If you are seeking treatment for a broken ankle, see podiatrist Dr. Andrew H. Cohen, D.P.M. of Mid-Michigan Foot and Ankle Center. Dr. Cohen will assess your injury and provide you with quality foot and ankle treatment.
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.
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If you have any questions, please feel free to contact one of our offices located in Saginaw and Essexville, MI. We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot ankle injuries.
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