Diagnosis for pain in the outer ankle
In the case of pain in the outer ankle, a detailed medical history and physical examination by the doctor is usually the first step. The physician performs various tests on the foot, which enables him to test the stability in the ankle joint and the function of the muscles. In most cases, an x-ray of the foot is then taken to detect or rule out possible fractures or bone tears.
In most cases, this is already sufficient to diagnose and treat a pulled foot. However, if symptoms persist, an MRI can be performed during the course of the procedure. With the MRI, the ligament structures of the foot can be examined and possible tears diagnosed.
Therapy for pain in the outer ankle
The treatment of pain in the outer ankle depends on the underlying disease. If the cause is an outer ligament strain caused by bending the foot, it is usually treated conservatively. Direct therapy should be done by cooling the joint to counteract swelling.
An ankle joint orthosis is then applied to stabilize the foot. This orthosis is kept on day and night for about 6 weeks. As far as possible, the foot should be subjected to normal weight-bearing, but sports should be avoided for the time being.
In case of severe pain, taking pain-relieving medication can also be helpful. Kinesiotapes can also help. A torn outer ligament is treated similarly.
Here too, treatment is initially conservative, using an ankle joint orthosis and painkilling medication. However, the foot should not be put under any load for the time being if the outer ligament is torn. Therefore, patients are treated with crutches and thrombosis injections.
For the next 6 weeks, the foot should not be put under any load so that the tear can regenerate completely. Afterwards, the gradual introduction of weight-bearing can begin. If the injury is more serious and there are also bone ruptures or similar, surgery may be necessary.
During surgery, the ends of the ligament are sutured back together and the bone fragments are reattached with screws. The foot is then treated with a plaster cast and left for several weeks. This may also be of interest to you:
- Operate an external ankle fracture
- Treatment of an external ankle fracture without surgery
The use of Kinesiotape can help with recovery.
Kinesiotapes are stuck to the skin in the direction of the muscles and provide traction in the affected area. This tensile force improves the blood supply to the underlying tissue and therefore leads to better healing. In the case of ligament injuries, it can also help to strengthen the stability of the ankle.Tapes can also relieve pain in chronic pain.
The application of the tape should be carried out by an experienced expert, for example, the physiotherapist or orthopedist. An ankle bandage, also known as an orthosis, is often used for ankle injuries. It provides relief and stabilization of the ankle joint.
This is very important, especially in the case of torn ligaments. Due to the mechanical compression, it also leads to pain relief and swelling. The bandage is usually worn day and night.
Movement is only slightly restricted by the orthosis, so that patients can put full weight on the foot even with the orthosis. There are various forms of orthosis and often it is not necessary to buy new shoes. There are also special orthoses that are worn during sports. This is particularly helpful for athletes who frequently twist their feet or have ankle problems.
