Many ankle injuries can be avoided by simple prevention methods. I will go through the most common ways to prevent ankle injuries. Being in medical school and seeing ankle pain quite often, I am aware of the issue - and it is a large one.
My wife has had ankle issues for a number of years and lately ankle surgery. Now I am getting some issues in my right one.
A podiatrist told me a very common cause of ankle injury:
Tight Achilles Tendon [calf muscles]
Bottom Line:
- To reduce ankle injury, stretch your calf muscles. Keep them limber.
- Avoid high heels if you can - they shorten calf muscles
- Visit a podiatrist if you have ankle issues - avoid a chronic problem
If you have weak ankles, consider
prolotherapy.
If you have slight ankle pain, an adjustment by a chiropractor may solve the problem. My talus was slid forward out of alignment and in two seconds it was popped back into place. My ankle pain was gone. A sign of this is if you get pain when you try to point your foot upwards. You will feel a limitation there as the talus is hitting the tibia instead of sliding under it.
Don't let that simple issue cause you to have a major surgery. Get it checked out and adjusted.
Glucosamine. You've all heard it. Which one and how much to take? Glucosamine Sulfate is the only one you want to take - not glucosamine HCl - it is garbage. All research has shown that glucosamine sulfate is the superior type. The research has shown effective results with 500mg of glucosamine sulfate taken 3 times a day for 8 weeks. Don't stop though - keep going if you want the joint to maintain a healthy environment.
If your ankle is absolutely trashed due to arthritis and you're young, you may consider ankle allograft. I know nothing about this but your doc may. It is new and up and coming.
Hope this helps ya.
In health,
Ben
