An injury that occurs when the ankle rolls, twists or turns in an awkward way.
This can stretch or tear the tough bands of tissue (ligaments) that help hold the ankle bones together.
A sprained ankle causes swelling, pain and limited range of motion.
Many people simply treat a sprained ankle at home with rest, ice and pain relievers. Severe sprains may need medical evaluation.
Ligaments help stabilize joints, preventing excessive movement. A sprained ankle occurs when the ligaments are forced beyond their normal range of motion. Most sprained ankles involve injuries to the ligaments on the outer side of the ankle.
Treatment for a sprained ankle depends on the severity of the injury. Although self-care measures and over-the-counter pain medications may be all you need, a medical evaluation might be necessary to reveal how badly you've sprained your ankle and to determine the appropriate treatment.
Call your doctor if you have pain and swelling in your ankle and you suspect a sprain. Self-care measures may be all you need, but talk to your doctor to discuss whether you should have your ankle evaluated. If signs and symptoms are severe, you may have significant damage to a ligament or a broken bone in your ankle or lower leg.
Inflammation of the Achilles tendon is called Achilles tendinitis. Achilles tendinosis is the soreness or stiffness of the tendon, particularly worse when exercising, and generally due to overuse. The most common symptoms are pain and swelling around the affected tendon.The pain is typically worse at the start of exercise and decreases thereafter. Stiffness of the ankle may also be present.Onset is generally gradual. It commonly occurs as a result of overuse such as running. Other risk factors include trauma, a lifestyle that includes little exercise, high-heel shoes, rheumatoid arthritis, and medications of the fluoroquinolone or steroid class. Diagnosis is generally based on symptoms and examination While stretching and exercises to strengthen the back are often recommended for prevention, evidence to support these measures is poor.Treatment typically involves rest, ice, non-steroidal antiinflammatory agents (NSAIDs), and physical therapyA heel lift or orthotics may also be helpful. In those in who symptoms last more than six months despite other treatments, surgery may be considered.Achilles tendinitis is relatively common.
The Achilles (uh-KILL-ease) tendon is a band of tissue in the back of your leg. This tendon links your heel bone (calcaneus, pronounced cal-KAY-nee-us) to your calf muscles. It’s also called the calcaneal tendon. You have two Achilles tendons, one in each leg. The Achilles tendons are the strongest and biggest tendons in your body. The Achilles averages about 15 centimeters (6 inches) in length, but it’s up to 26 centimeters (10 inches) long in some people. Achilles tendons can handle about four times a person’s body weight. But people commonly experience Achilles tendon injuries because of the stress put on this tendon. Almost 1 in 4 athletes have an Achilles tendon injury during their lifetime.
