Swelling is a response to injury or illness. It’s common in ankles, especially after a sprain or fracture, but those aren’t the only causes of ankle swelling.
Don’t take your swollen ankle lightly. Proper treatment is key to preventing further joint injury. For help, come to the Spine and Orthopedic Center of New Mexico's Urgent Care in Roswell, New Mexico.
Dr. Omar Osmani and Dr. David Ball specialize in orthopedic care. Dr. Ball is a foot and ankle surgeon who evaluates ankle swelling and provides expert treatments.
Swollen ankles occur for many reasons, including injury and illness. Although ankle swelling isn’t usually life-threatening, it drastically reduces mobility and quality of life.
Ankle swelling may occur suddenly or develop over time, depending on the cause. Common causes of ankle swelling include:
The reason for your swollen ankle determines other symptoms. For example, in addition to inflammation, a fractured ankle causes pain and discoloration, while a vascular problem may trigger open sores on or around the ankle.
To determine the root cause, seek treatment for ankle swelling as soon as you notice it.
If you twisted, sprained, or bumped your ankle, follow the RICE protocol: rest, ice, compression, and elevation.
The RICE protocol reduces swelling and improves pain after an injury and is all you need for mild ankle injuries, along with avoiding activities that worsen the problem.
Mild sprains or strains resolve on their own with rest. However, if your ankle doesn’t improve within a few days of following the RICE protocol or the swelling worsens, you should seek treatment.
More severe injuries require RICE and a trip to our urgent care. We take X-rays and evaluate your ankle and symptoms to determine the cause of ankle swelling. Treatment varies but includes immobilization, anti-inflammatory medications, and physical therapy.
Severe ankle injuries or other issues require more invasive treatments or surgery. We offer every option to treat the root cause of ankle swelling.
Caring for the swollen ankle after treatment is key to preventing another episode. The following steps after treatment include the RICE protocol, activity modifications, and strengthening of the tissues around the ankle joint.
Wear comfortable and supportive shoes to avoid re-injury. Proper shoes also prevent issues like bursitis, plantar fasciitis, and Achilles tendonitis, which can lead to inflammation.
Physical therapy improves the injury through stretching, flexibility, stability, and muscle strengthening. To avoid repeat ankle injuries, keep up with PT exercises at home.
Following up with us after treatment is beneficial to see how your ankle is healing. We may need to tweak your treatment plan to ensure you get the best results and ankle swelling subsides.
Call our Roswell, New Mexico office today to schedule an appointment with Dr. Ball for ankle swelling or to stop by our urgent care facility. You may also request an appointment on our website.
