Sprained Ankle Specialist
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Edward Bustamante, DPM, FACFAS
Foot & Ankle Surgeon & Podiatrist located in Miami, FL
A sprained ankle is an incredibly common injury, and some sprains are much worse than others. The best course of action after an ankle injury is to seek medical help to avoid long-term damage. Edward Bustamante, DPM, specializes in ankle injuries and offers acute evaluations and comprehensive treatments. If you’re in the Miami area, and you suspect you’ve sprained your ankle, call the office or request an appointment using the online scheduling tool.
Sprained Ankle Q & A
What is a sprained ankle?
Your ankle is a hinge joint where three bones come together: your tibia, fibula, and talus. Holding these bones together and keeping your joint stabilized are a number of ligaments. When you sprain your ankle, it means that you’ve stretched one of these supporting ligaments too far, resulting in anything from microscopic tears in the tissue to partial and complete tears of the ligament.
Sprained ankles usually involve the ligaments on the outside of your ankle and are typically caused when you roll your ankle to the outside, twist your ankle, or land badly after a jump. The reality is that there are myriad ways you can sprain your ankle, from sports to simply stepping off the curb badly.
A fifth metatarsal fracture is also a very common injury when you twist or sprain your ankle. This happens when the tendon that wraps around the side of your ankle comes under so much tension that it breaks the base of the bone that it attaches to.
What are the symptoms of an ankle injury?
The most common symptoms of an injured ankle are:
- Pain, which develops immediately after the injury
- Swelling, which develops more gradually
- Bruising and tenderness
- The inability to bear weight
- Instability in your ankle
The best thing you can after you injure your ankle is to apply the RICE method:
- Rest
- Ice
- Compression
- Elevation
You may also take an over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medication to help with the swelling and pain.
When should I see a doctor for an injured ankle or foot?
Dr. Bustamante treats all kinds of injuries of the foot and ankle. From a sprained ankle to a broken toe, the office is equipped to deal with any injury.
To treat most foot and ankle injuries, Dr. Bustamante recommends one or more of the following, depending upon the degree of the problem:
- Anti-inflammatory medications
- Splinting or bracing
- Crutches
- Physical therapy
Dr. Bustamante offers braces, splints, and walking fracture boots, which he can supply right away, eliminating any delays in implementing treatment.
Ultimately, the key to recovering from an ankle or foot injury is patience. It takes time for your tissue to repair and rebuild itself, so follow the doctor’s instructions in order to come out the other side as strong as ever.
Why go to the ER for long wait times and high copayments, when you can call Dr. Bustamante who can provide you with a same-day appointment? Or you can book an appointment using the online scheduling tool.
