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Dr Nelson Clinic .com Ankle Sprain Risks |
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Dr Mark Nelson Foot & Ankle Specialist
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Old Ankle Sprains Increase Risk for Newly Active Baby BoomersORLANDO, Feb. 19, 2003 -- Ankle injuries may end the careers of pro basketball star Grant Hill and tennis champion Martina Hingis, but their plight could be a valuable lesson for Baby Boomers now getting back into fitness and sports: Get your ankles checked for chronic instability caused by sprains and other injuries that might not have healed properly years ago. According to experts presenting at the American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons annual scientific meeting here, many who have suffered ankle sprains in the past could be at risk for more serious damage as they age and try to stay in good physical condition. It is estimated that one in four sports injuries involves the foot or ankle, and a majority of them occur from incomplete rehabilitation of earlier injuries. “Many older adult athletes who have had a previous injury that wasn’t fully rehabilitated may experience swelling and pain as they increase their physical activity,” said Robert Duggan, DPM, FACFAS, an Orlando-based podiatric foot and ankle surgeon and sports medicine consultant to Walt Disney World’s Wide World of Sports. “But pain isn’t normal in the ankle area, even if you’re starting to get back in shape.” Duggan added that both serious athletes and weekend sports participants often misunderstand how serious a sprain can be, and they rush back into action without taking time to rehabilitate the injury properly. “A sprain that happened years ago can leave residual weakness that isn’t noticed in normal daily activity, but subjecting the ankle to rigorous physical activity can further damage improperly healed ligaments, and cause persistent pain and swelling,” said Duggan. “For anyone hoping to regain past athletic fitness, it’s recommended that you have that old ankle injury checked out by a podiatric foot and ankle surgeon before becoming active again.” Some sprains are severe enough to strain or tear the tendons on the outside of the ankle, called the peroneal tendons. New research presented at the ACFAS meeting, however, showed that more than 85 percent of athletes who had surgery to repair a torn peroneal tendon were able to return to full sporting activity within three months after the procedure. “Peroneal tendon tears are an overlooked cause of lateral ankle pain,” reported Amol Saxena, DPM, FACFAS, Palo Alto Medical Foundation, Department of Sports Medicine. “Although surgery for athletically active patients shouldn’t be taken lightly, surgical repair of the peroneal tendons is proving to be very successful in helping athletes with serious ankle problems return to full activity.” Saxena added that persistent pain and tenderness after a sprain, especially if the individual felt a ‘pop’ on the outside of the ankle and couldn’t stand tiptoe, might be a warning sign that the tendon is torn or split. The injury is best diagnosed with an MRI exam. Patients who need surgery spend six to eight weeks in a cast followed by physical therapy. For information on ankle conditions and to locate a podiatric foot and ankle surgeon in your area, contact ACFAS toll-free at 1-888-THE FEET or at www.acfas.org. This press release article was provided by the American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons (ACFAS). |
