Avoid or Minimize Ankle Injuries
QUICK SPORTS MEDICINE TIP: HOW TO AVOID OR MINIMIZE ANKLE INJURIES
Sports often involve risk of injury, but there are simple steps you can take to reduce the likelihood you’ll be sidelined by an ankle sprain, strain or tear.
- Train. Condition your muscles. Get yourself in shape for your sport.
- Wear the right shoes for your sport. Replace shoes before they wear out.
- Gently stretch your calves.* It may help reduce the risk of ankle injuries.
- Be mindful of your footing.
- If you’ve been previously injured, you may need tape or a brace for additional support.
*Calf-stretching exercise:
If you are experiencing foot or ankle pain from overuse during play, or you are suddenly injured, you may need to stop, or modify your activity until pain subsides.
Watch as Dr Nicholas Abidi explains in this video how to stabilize an ankle injury.
To stabilize an injured ankle, secure it at a 90-degree angle, as the talus bone in the ankle is more stable in this position. Do not allow your foot to drop or hang, becoming pointed, as this may destabilize, and further damage your ankle.
Minor sprains and strains may be treated with rest, ice, compression, and elevation (RICE). If swelling or bruising are present, or you are limping, please contact us at Golden State Orthopedics & Spine and make an appointment to see a foot and ankle specialist for professional evaluation.
MEET OUR FOOT AND ANKLE DOCTORS.
To find a foot/ankle specialist near you, go to our Doctors page and choose your city, then choose >Ankle & Foot< from the specialty menu.
Visit “Our Doctors” page
SPORTSMED GO SERVICE IN LOS GATOS
Our SportsMed Go service offers same day and quick follow-up injury consultation for teams and athletes. To learn more about the service and see if it is a fit for your team, visit our SportsMed Go page:
