Have you ever twisted your ankle while playing or running? That's called an inversion of the foot, and it can be a real pain (literally!). But did you know that there are other problems it can cause besides a sore ankle?
In this blog, we'll show you 5 surprising ways inverting your foot can affect your body, and we'll give you some tips on what to do about it.
Inversion of foot, according to Harvard Medical School, is the most common type of ankle injury. It is a movement of the foot in a way that the soles of the feet face inwards. So rather than face the front as usual, the inverted foot is bent to face the other foot, almost like a C shape.
Ligaments are strong bands of tissue that connect bones together at joints. When you have an inversion of the foot, it means you've hurt one or more of the three main ligaments in the outer ankle. That's why people also call it an Inversion Ankle Sprain.
Foot inversion can result from walking on a bumpy surface or when an athlete accidentally steps or lands on another athlete's foot, a previous injury to the ankle. It can also happen because you hurt your ankle in the past, landed awkwardly from a high place, slipped off something, missed a step, twisted your ankle while wearing high heels or changed directions too fast.
Inversion ankle sprains occur in degrees, depending on how badly the ligaments are damaged.
A grade 1 sprain is when one of the ligaments on the outside of your ankle gets a little overstretched.
A grade 2 sprain is when the ligaments get stretched beyond their limits and partially tear. At least two of the ligaments on the outside of your ankle are affected in this one.
A grade 3 sprain is when two or more of the ligaments on the outside of your ankle tear completely. You might even hear a tearing or popping sound when this happens.
How much pain you feel also depends on how bad your sprain is. A grade 1 sprain will bring on mild pain. When you have a grade 2 sprain, you will have moderate pain in the ankle, while a grade 3 sprain will give you severe pain.
In a grade 1 sprain, you will have a mild form of swelling and tenderness but no bruising. A grade 2 sprain may show some bruising and if it's a grade 3 sprain, you'll have a lot of swelling, bruising, and tenderness.
Sprains can be really painful, especially if they're a grade 2 or 3.With a grade 3 sprain, you won't be able to put any weight on your foot and walking is out of the question. This will further cause the foot to be stiff. A grade 2 sprain isn't as bad, but you'll still have some pain when you put weight on your foot and will not be able to walk well with it. But in a grade 1 sprain, you can put weight on your foot and walk with it.
Your ankle can feel unstable or like it's about to give way, especially when you're changing direction quickly or walking on uneven ground.
This happens with grade 2 and 3 sprains. The more damaged the ligaments are, the more wobbly the ankle will be. So, a grade 3 ankle sprain will make your ankle feel the most unstable.
Healing from a sprain depends on how serious it is. A grade 1 sprain will take a couple of weeks to heal, while a grade 2 sprain might take a few more weeks. Recovery takes the longest for a grade 3 sprain and can take several months. Even after that, it might take more than a year for your ligament to regain its full strength if it wasn't completely torn.
If you've got a nasty bruise on your ankle and can't put any weight on your foot, it's best to see a doctor. They'll examine your foot and might ask you to have an X-ray taken. Afterward, they might refer you to a physical therapist to help you through the healing process and avoid future ankle injuries.
The PRICE (Protection, Rest, Ice, Compression, and Elevation) method is advised in the first 24-48 hours following an ankle injury to ease some of the symptoms and ensure no further damage is done to the ankle.
The ankle can become unstable after a severe sprain or repeated sprains over time since the ligaments will likely never be as strong as they once were. So, it's important to ensure the muscles surrounding your ankle are strong enough and protected from future injury.
If you think you have an inverted foot injury, seek medical attention from a qualified orthopedic specialist. Early diagnosis and treatment can help prevent further complications and ensure a full recovery.
At Lancaster Orthopedic Group, we offer expert care for foot inversion and other foot injuries, tailoring treatments to the severity of your sprain and your needs. As you heal, we'll recommend specific exercises to ensure your ankle is stable and show you how to protect your ankle from future sprains.
Contact us today to schedule a consultation. Our friendly staff is available to answer your questions and guide you through the scheduling process. We look forward to helping you achieve perfect foot health.
Have questions as you prepare for your joint replacement surgery? Call our office
Speak to a Specialist
717.560.4200
