Treating Foot and Ankle Injuries After a Fall

Last week, as part of our commemoration of National Falls Prevention Awareness Month, our blog offered good advice on preventing a fall from Anne Arundel County podiatrists James M. McKee, DPM, FACFAS, and Adam Weaver, DPM. But life happens, and people fall. It’s common for our doctors to see men, women, and children who have experienced a foot and ankle injury due to a fall or some other incident.

Your feet and ankles are among nature’s most elegant, complex structures. Did you know that more than one-quarter of the body’s bones are in them? Some bones are tiny, the size of a fingernail, and delicate and can easily break. Adding to the risk of injury is the possibility of a sprained ankle.  A sprain can occur with the sudden overstretching of the ligaments that connect these bones.

What should you do if you are in pain after a fall?

First, assess the situation. Is the pain severe? Are you unable to stand or walk? If so, call Podiatry Group of Annapolis, P.A. at 410-224-4448, or click here to schedule an appointment in our office on Solomons Island Road as soon as possible. If you’re uncomfortable, but can move without a problem, give yourself 24 hours to see if the situation resolves with at-home care. Take an over the counter anti-inflammatory medication like ibuprofen and follow the RICE protocol:

• Rest: Limit your activity to essentials. No exercise or unnecessary motion.

• Ice: Use an ice pack or cold compress for 20 minutes out of each hour.

• Compression: Wrap your injury in an elastic bandage to minimize swelling.

• Elevation: Lie down and lift your injured leg slightly above the level of your heat. Prop it up with a pillow.

It’s essential to take care of your feet, ankles, and lower legs after a fall, even if you’re feeling better. Schedule a visit to see our doctors for a convenient follow-up examination.