Ankle joint helps to balance and stabilize the body. But it is also the most frequently injured joint in the body. It’s made up of bones that are supported with muscles and ligaments. Any damage to these structures can cause ankle ailments.
Causes of Ankle Ailments
Ankle disorders can occur due to variety of reasons including:
Symptoms of Ankle Ailments
The symptoms of ankle ailments depend upon the disorder and its extent (acute or chronic), But in majority of the cases, patient complains of the following problems associated with the ankle joint:
These are just common symptoms but patient may have other symptoms too that should not be ignored as ankle joint is one of the most important joint of our body. So anything that is not normal or is causing discomfort should be discussed with the doctor and treated accordingly.
Diagnosis of Ankle Ailments
The diagnosis of ankle ailments starts with a complete medical history of the patient. It is also required to consider family history of joint pains as some of these disorders run in families. This is followed by thorough physical examination of the joint to find any visible signs and assess its level of activity. In addition to these following diagnostic tests are almost always required to conclude the disorder:
Treatment of Ankle Ailments
Treatment of ankle problems specifically depends upon the cause and extent of disorder. It is required to first evaluate the damage that has already occurred and simultaneously start the treatment that would prevent further damage. Treatment may include some of the following: