Ankle Dislocation
Symptoms and treatment for ankle dislocation
An ankle dislocation is essentially an injury that causes a bone in the ankle joint to come out of place. There are three bones that make up the ankle, and the ankle dislocation can affect any of them. However, it’s pretty rare for an ankle dislocation to occur. Most of the time, a dislocated ankle occurs with an ankle fracture.
The most common symptoms of an ankle dislocation are ankle pain, swelling, and ankle joint deformity. If you do suffer a dislocated ankle, then you’ll know something is wrong right away. The ankle will start to swell and bruise immediately after the injury. You’ll also be unable to put any weight on the ankle. In some cases, you may also feel tingling or numbness in the foot.
If you think you suffered an ankle dislocation, then it’s very important not to move the ankle. Apply ice to it immediately and seek help right away. Usually the doctor will order an X-ray of the ankle to confirm dislocation. This will also show which of the three bones is actually dislocated. The X-ray also gives the doctor some guidance to help in planning for surgery to reset the ankle. It also will show if there is a fracture involved in the injury as well.
Resetting a dislocated ankle is a surgical procedure that involves actually going into the ankle and correcting the location of the bones. The surgeon will also have to use screws and pins to hold the bones in place while they heal. Usually those screws and pins will be removed after about two or three months, although very severe injuries may require them to be permanent.
Recovery from the surgery to repair a dislocated ankle takes about six months, although recovery can take an entire year without surgery. It’s very important not to put too much stress on the ankle during this time so it can heal properly.
There are a few possible complications involved with having a dislocated ankle. One of the most common problems is arthritis in the ankle, which may be treated with pain and anti-inflammatory medications later. Other common problems also include infection and ligament calcification, which is essentially the formation of calcium deposits in the ankle. Infections will likely require antibiotics, while calcification may require pain medication or other treatment.
Athletes who experience a lot of popping and strain on certain joints should consider wearing a brace. This will help prevent dislocations and the need for surgery. It will also ensure that they stay in the game instead of losing precious playing time to injury. Athletes should also make sure they spend adequate time warming up every single time they play.
Suffering a dislocated ankle can take you out of the game for quite a while, but knowing what to do if it happens is important to ensure you don’t unnecessarily lengthen your recovery time. A dislocated is certainly a serious injury, but it’s one that is easily repaired with time and medical care.