Foot and ankle injuries
Injuries to the foot and ankle are very common. Ten per cent of all A&E attendances are for foot and ankle fractures and sprains. Due to its size, shape and function, the ankle receives more stress than any other joint in the body and is prone to injury.
Sports injuries
“Far too many people are living without a diagnosis for their symptoms, even though there are very effective, non-surgical treatments available.”
A large proportion of foot and ankle injuries take place during sport. One large study of 12,000 sporting injuries showed that a quarter of all injuries involved the foot or ankle. Unlike many injuries, those to the foot and ankle are commonly problematic in the long term.Loss of time from sport and resulting loss of fitness are common results, as many patients do not get the attention they deserve.
Foot and ankle injury diagnosis
Assessment must commence with a precise history of the injury. This often allows an accurate prediction of the structures likely to have been damaged. All bones, large and small joints, ligaments, tendons and peripheral nerves must be examined before imaging takes place.
All sprained feet and ankle should be X-rayed and may also require CT and MRI scanning. Sometimes small joint arthroscopy (keyhole surgery) is required to enable a foot and ankle specialist to make an accurate diagnosis. At London Foot and Ankle Centre we have a multi-disciplinary team and are able to take the approach most suited to your individual needs and injury. Surgery may not be required. You may see our consultant in rheumatology, sport and exercise medicine Professor Cathy Speed who uses a range of advanced therapies in order to find an effective, non-surgical solution.
When should you seek treatment after a sports injury?
“Untreated ankle sprains are a leading cause of long term disability in the UK.”
There is often uncertainty about when treatment should be sought for a sports injury. For example, people often wait for an ankle sprain to ‘settle down’ and often put up with chronic pain symptoms, especially if the onset is gradual. We advise that if a sprained ankle is still causing pain and weakness four to six weeks after the injury occurred, you should see a foot and ankle specialist. Some damage which can be serious and long-lasting may not be evident on standard x-rays.
For those with chronic injuries, there may be simple modifications, which can make a significant difference. The section below explains the different types of foot and ankle injuries in more detail. You can also find out more about medical therapies and other approaches which can provide a very effective, non-surgical solution for intractable pain.
Types of foot and ankle injuries
Foot and ankle injury summary
As there are so many structures in the foot and ankle that are at risk of being injured, it is important to seek early specialist advice. Often, the worst thing one can do with a significant “sprain” is to ignore it. With appropriate treatment, following foot and ankle injuries, it is possible to return to normal activities faster and long term problems can be prevented.
Garrick JG, Requa RK. The epidemiology of foot and ankle injuries in sports.
Clin Sports Med 1998