SOMA Living September 2021

FROM THE DOCTOR

ANKLE SPRAINS AND WEEKEND WARRIORS

Now that the Summer is over and Fall is here, we still feel the need to get out and do more outdoor activities before Winter arrives. Suddenly there is the urge to go out and play flag football or soccer with your friends. Maybe you are feeling good and want to go for a long bike ride or just go for a run. What you didn’t know is that your body may not be ready for that kind of activity, and you could fall victim to the injury bug. Sprained ankles happen when a ligament gets pulled too far. If you sprain your ankle, you feel pain in the area, especially when you put weight on the affected foot. The most common symptoms of a sprained ankle are swelling, bruising, tenderness to touch and/or instability of the ankle which may occur when there has been complete tearing of the ligament or a complete dislocation of the ankle joint. Sprains are graded based on how much damage has occurred to the ligaments. Grade 1 Sprain (Mild) - Slight stretching and microscopic tearing of the ligament fibers and mild tenderness and swelling around the ankle. Grade 2 Sprain (Moderate) - Partial tearing of the ligament and moderate tenderness and swelling around the ankle. If the doctor moves the ankle in certain ways, there is an abnormal looseness of the ankle joint. Grade 3 Sprain (Severe) - Complete tear of the ligament significant tenderness and swelling around the ankle. If the doctor pulls or pushes on the ankle joint in certain movements, substantial instability occurs. So now that the ankle is sprained, here is how to treat it. A 3-phase approach is used and it is broken down like this: Phase 1 includes resting, protecting the ankle and reducing the swelling. A brace may or may not be used at this phase. Phase 2 includes restoring range of motion, strength and flexibility. Phase 3 includes maintenance exercises and the gradual return to activities that do not require turning or twisting the ankle. This will be followed later by being able to do activities that require sharp, sudden turns (cutting activities)—such as tennis, basketball, or football. If the pain does not go away with conservative treatment from your local PT you should schedule an appointment with an Orthopedic MD for a more thorough evaluation that involves either x-rays or MRIs.

Meet the Natural Pain Relievers at South Orange Chiropractic Center Moving people from pain to wellness. Dr. Stephen Levine • Dr. Mark Roczey • Dr. Mark Sielski 60 First Street, South Orange, NJ 07079 973-761-0022 Go to SouthOrangeChiropractic.com to download our FREE E-book on Health and Wellness

South Orange Rehabilitation & Wellness We provide professional, individualized and effective physical therapy. Our health and wellness interventions promote healthy living and enhanced quality of life for all athletes and patients.

Specializing in: • Post Surgical Knee & Shoulder • Spinal Decompression for Herniated and Bulging Discs • Cold Laser to Increase Healing

Dr. Daniel Roig South Orange Rehab Wellness SouthOrangeRehab.com 973-761-0077

SouthOrangeRehab.com (973) 761-0077 177 Valley Street, South Orange, New Jersey 07079

SEPTEMBER 2021 | SOMA LIVING 35

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