Ankle sprains, one of the most common problems encountered by our feet, which provide our contact with the world and carry our weight all day long, can cause great damage to the ligaments and tendons in the ankle. Stating that swelling and sensitivity to touch can be seen in the injured part, experts emphasize that the injured foot should not be stepped on as much as possible. Experts who make recommendations for foot health recommend doing exercises to stretch the sole of the foot by rolling a bottle or tennis ball under the foot, not wearing shoes that squeeze the foot, and not sharing personal items such as shoes and pedicure tools with anyone.
NPISTANBUL Hospital Orthopedics and Traumatology Specialist Dr. Faculty Member Mehmet Soyarslan drew attention to the effects of ankle sprains on ligaments and tendons.
Dr. Faculty Member Mehmet Soyarslan said, "Our ankle consists of bones and joints that are tightly connected to each other. There are muscle tendons around the ankle joint that make certain movements and ligaments that restrict and coordinate these movements. These ligaments and tendons can tear and break in some cases."
The most important cause is sprains
Stating that the most common causes of rupture of ligaments and tendons are ankle sprains, sudden and forceful movements of the ankle, especially in sports activities, falling from a height and external blows, Dr. Faculty Member Mehmet Soyarslan said, "Although the first finding in these patients is usually pain, pain may occur later, especially if the injury occurred during sports activities. Depending on the severity of the tear or rupture, swelling in the injured part, tenderness to the touch and bruising may occur due to bleeding inside over time. In some tendon ruptures, the patient may feel or even hear the sound of the rupture coming from the ankle. Inadequacy in these ligaments due to frequent sprains may create a feeling of insecurity in the patient's ankle over time."
Foot should not be stepped on
Noting that some interventions that the person can do at the time of the incident in ligament and tendon injuries around the ankle positively affect the treatment process in the future, Dr. Faculty Member Mehmet Soyarslan said the following:
"If the injury is very severe, the person should call for help by informing his/her surroundings and should not step on the injured foot as much as possible. During the onset of pain and swelling, cooling the ankle with ice and keeping the foot slightly elevated is beneficial in treatment. For simple injuries, wrapping the ankle with an elastic bandage and resting will be sufficient for treatment. Your doctor may recommend the use of some painkiller pills and creams. In cases where the injury is more severe, splints, plaster casts or some ready-made medical devices should be used to immobilize the ankle. Many tears heal spontaneously with these treatments."
Physical therapy can be applied in recurrent sprains
Pointing out that these ligaments cannot fully heal in people with frequent ankle sprains and that recurrent sprains called "instability" and a feeling of insecurity occur in the ankle joint, Soyarslan said, "In this case, physical therapy and rehabilitation programs can be applied to the patient to strengthen the surrounding muscles. Surgery may be required in a very limited patient group where the desired benefit cannot be achieved."
Listen to these recommendations for foot health
Pointing out that when the health of the feet deteriorates, other parts of the body such as knees, hips and waist can also be affected, Dr. Faculty Member Mehmet Soyarslan listed the things that can be done at home for foot health as follows:
1) We should cut our toenails so that the tips are straight.
2) We should wash our feet daily and then dry between the toes.
3) Moisturizing creams should be used for dryness and cracks in the heel area.
4) We should wear socks woven with organic yarns such as cotton or bamboo, not synthetic socks.
5) We should do exercises that stretch the soles of our feet. Like rolling a bottle or tennis ball under our feet.
6) We should not wear shoes that are too tight.
7) We should not share our shoes and personal belongings such as pedicure tools with other people.
Diabetics should pay attention to these recommendations
Foot health is much more important for diabetic patients. A significant proportion of diabetic patients develop foot wounds at some point in their lives. This condition called diabetic foot results in amputation in the majority of patients. Diabetes patients to avoid diabetic foot problems,
1) They should control their blood sugar levels.
2) They should wash their feet with warm water and soap every day and check the temperature of the water with their elbows, not their feet.
3) After washing their feet, they should dry them well, especially between their toes.
4) They should wear cotton and seamless socks.
5) They should wear slippers and shoes with closed toes.
6) They should frequently check the inside of their shoes for foreign objects such as stones, sand, etc.
7) They should wear soft and wide shoes made of canvas or leather.
8) Protect their feet from extreme heat and cold.
9) They should consult their doctor when they notice lesions such as blisters, wounds or calluses on their feet.
Since smoking affects vascular health and therefore our feet, diabetic patients should quit smoking if they smoke.