Autumn Years Winter 2023/24

HEALTH & WELFARE

What You May Not Know About Ankle Sprains By Robin Frank Several people I know sprained their ankle last summer, including me, and I learned a lot about the injury that surprised me. A sprained ankle is one of the most fre quent injuries landing people in the doctor’s office or in the emergency room, according to Dr. Matthew Conti, an orthopedic foot and ankle surgeon at Hospital for Special Surgery (HSS) in Manhattan.

T he injury can range from a mild sprain, in which the ligaments tear. “The most common sprain occurs when a mis step causes the foot to turn inward. This is known as a lateral ankle sprain, which means that the ligaments on the outer side of the ankle are stretched or torn,” he explains. Sports such as pickleball that require an abrupt change of direction increase the risk for a sprained ankle. However, you do not have to engage in athletics to sustain the injury. “We often see people who were walking down the street and missed the curb. Or they stepped into a defect in the sidewalk and twisted their ankle,” Conti says. Sometimes people think they can “walk it off.” However, that is gener ally not a good idea, even with a minor sprain that does not cause much pain, says Dr. David A. Wang, a sports medi cine physician at HSS Paramus. It is also ill-advised to get right back to playing a sport after hurting your ankle. “Never try to push through an injury—rest your ankle and seek an evaluation if pain and sprain, in which the ligaments in the ankle are stretched, to a severe

sprain that could sideline someone for many months and even require surgery. The doctors agree that even if a sprain is mild, the “PRICE” protocol is a good idea, at least for the first few days. PRICE stands for “Protect,” which could entail the use of a brace, walking boot, crutches or a cane, as needed; “Rest” to give the injured ankle time to heal; the use of “Ice” on and off for at least the first 48 hours; applying a “Compression” bandage to help with swelling; and pil ing up pillows to “Elevate” the injured ankle above the level of the heart. An over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medication such as ibuprofen or naprox en can be helpful if an individual has no gastrointestinal issues.

swelling get worse,” he says. “If you can’t bear weight on it or experience severe pain, an x-ray should be taken to rule out a fracture. Unfortunately, once you sprain your ankle, you are susceptible to future in jury, he says. However, the right medical care from the start and good practices after recovery can help prevent another sprain. PRICE: Protection, Rest, Ice, Compres sion, Elevation Ankle sprains vary in severity. Grade 1 is the least serious injury that usually heals within two to six weeks. Grade 2 sprains usually require an 8- to 12-week heal ing process. Grade 3 is the most severe

THE RIGHT WAY TO USE A CANE After spraining my ankle, I discovered the right way to use a cane. It may seem counterintuitive, but the cane should be used with the hand on the opposite side of the injury. As for adjusting a cane to the appropriate height and how to walk with it, you can find ample information online, including videos. A doctor or physical therapist can also provide advice.

20 AUTUMN YEARS I WINTER 2023/24