Proper Care for Ankle Injuries

Studies show that ten percent of emergency department visits can be attributed to ankle injuries. The vast majority of these injuries are sprains. Standard treatment for acute ankle sprains is commonly known as RICE therapy. Patients are told to rest and ice the ankle for twenty minutes at a time. The ankle is then wrapped in compression bandages and elevated. Jones compression dressing involves using alternating layers of elastic bandages and compression bandages. Ibuprofen is often prescribed to ease pain. If the patient has a history of intolerance to aspirin, acetaminophen is prescribed as a substitute.

RICE therapy is a short term solution; it does not provide long term care. It simply serves as damage control for the initial injury. Future injury prevention is crucial. Approximately 25% to 40% of ankle sprains are recurrent injuries. When the initial injury receives improper treatment, future ankle damage is likely to lead to either temporary or permanent disability. Osteopathic manipulative treatment, or OMT, is one possible solution to this problem.

This treatment gives each patient the individual care that they require. Treatment varies patient to patient and ankle to ankle. The osteopath is responsible for deciding what treatment each injury calls for. Soft tissue treatments are often prescribed. Ankle injuries can be treated with a variety of soft tissue techniques. The average treatment session usually lasts 10-20 minutes. Studies have proven that OMT sessions lower the pain level and provide patients with an increased range of motion.

There are a number of soft tissue treatments. Osteopaths analyze the relationship of the bones from the toe to the ankle. They then decide which region requires the most work and attention. This system gives each patient a unique treatment. Instead of generic care, the patient receives care that will be most beneficial to their individual situation. Soft tissue is only one of several approaches to this therapy. Clinicians can also use muscle energy and strain/counter strain treatments. Pain reduction can be achieved by a process called lymphatic drainage. When fluid forms around the joints, the pain level increases and mobility greatly decreases.

Ankle sprains are injuries that require full attention. Physicians try to bring the ankle back to its previous working order. They also work to improve the range of motion and decrease the amount of fluid that has accumulates around the joints. Short OMT sessions work to prevent swelling and reduce the level of pain the patient experiences. Just one osteopathic manipulative treatment can drastically shorten ankle injury recovery time.

Ankle injuries are not to be thought of lightly. Even a slight sprain should receive medical attention. If injuries go untreated, proper healing may never occur, leading to permanent disability. Fortunately, treatment is readily available. RICE (rest, ice, compression, and elevation) therapy and a quick session with an osteopath physician can reduce pain and shorten recovery time. Osteopath therapy also reduces the risk of future ankle injury.

Article by: AndrewMitchell | Total views: 120 | Word Count: 522

About the Author

Andrew Mitchell, co-ordinator of Osteopath Network, writes articles about, back pain, neck pain and soft tissue injuries. If you are looking for an Nottingham osteopath or for osteopaths elsewhere in the UK please visit the Osteopath Network website.