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Common Ankle Injuries: Sprains and Fractures

Temperatures are dropping in the Syracuse area, making roads slippery, so be extra cautious when outside to prevent injuries. If you fall or feel any pain following exercise, seeing a foot care professional is the safest and fastest way to get to the core of the problem. Syracuse Podiatry serves Onondaga County and is equipped with state-of-the-art technology to assess and treat all types of foot and ankle injuries. One of the most common injuries we see are ankle sprains and fractures.

Sprains – Sprains occur when ligaments (strong connective bands of tissue) surrounding the ankle are stretched or torn. This most commonly occurs when the foot rolls underneath the ankle, which frequently happens during high-intensity activities. Sprains can also occur when walking on uneven surfaces.

  • Symptoms – Pain, swelling, bruising.
  • Diagnosis & Treatment – Once a sprain occurs, follow the RICE protocol: rest, ice, compress, and elevate. During the diagnosis, Ryan L. D’Amico will assess the swelling and pain at the injury site and may perform X-rays to rule out fractures. A severe sprain may require surgery to repair the injured ligaments.

Fractures – Fractures occur when excess force causes bones to break or crack. Stress fractures are smaller cracks in the bone caused by repeated overuse. General fractures are deeper breaks that are caused by falls or sudden applications of force and are categorized as: stable, displaced, open, and closed. Serious cases may involve injury to the surrounding tendons and ligaments and may require surgery.

  • Symptoms – Pain, swelling, inability to bear weight, sensitivity to touch
  • Diagnosis & Treatment – Follow the RICE protocol and see Dr. D’Amico ASAP. Following X-rays to assess damage, the foot will be placed in a stiff orthopedic shoe or cast for immobilization.

Even if you think your injury after a slip or fall is minor, not treating it properly can cause more problems down the road. Therefore, it is important to have an experienced board-certified podiatrist like Dr. Ryan L. D’Amico examine you. Dr. D’Amico treats many types of injuries and has the expertise to perform necessary surgical procedures. If you are in the Syracuse area and would like to make an appointment, please call us at (315) 446-3668 at our office in Fayetteville, NY!

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