Therapy | Foot bent outwards – What to do?

Therapy

Anyone who bends their foot outwards and develops complaints should immediately stop exercising and take care of the joint. For the later success of the therapy, it is of utmost importance to recognize the problem and take the right measures. The so-called PECH rule is a memorable approach to ankle injuries.

The letters stand for (training) break, ice, compression and elevation. The affected joint should therefore be protected, cooled, supplied with compression bandages and elevated. By applying the measures described above, the swelling is primarily counteracted.

Pain can be relieved by taking so-called non-steroidal anti-rheumatic drugs (NSAIDs) with an analgesic (pain-relieving) component. Suitable preparations are for example ibuprofen or diclofenac. Heparin ointments help to dissolve bruises in the joint and accelerate the recovery process.

In the field of competitive sports, physical therapies such as ultrasound or current therapies are also used. If, on the other hand, a torn ligament is diagnosed, it is necessary to weigh up between conservative therapy and surgery. Often the conservative approach is preferred.

The injured extremity is usually treated with an ankle joint orthosis. The orthosis fixes the affected joint in place, protects it from further buckling and thus protects the ligamentous apparatus until it has regenerated. Surgical methods usually consist of suturing torn ligaments or, for example after multiple tears, ligament replacement plastics made of periosteum.

Prognosis

Therapy after injuries caused by twisting the foot can be a very lengthy process. Adherence to the treatment recommendations and strict adherence to protection are of great importance. If the injured joint is reloaded too quickly, there is a risk of an extension of the recovery time and insufficient healing, which makes the occurrence of further injuries and thus the need for surgery more likely.

An orthosis should be worn until the ankle joint has been completely restored to stability. The injured extremity should not be loaded until it is free of pain. Exercising movement-intensive (running-intensive) sports must be avoided at first.

It is particularly important that after prolonged immobilization, stabilizing muscle groups are strengthened again and protective reflexes are restored in order to avoid secondary injuries. A ligament injury is often easy to treat, although the success of the therapy depends to a large extent on the effectiveness of the methods used. The duration of the treatment also depends on the initial physical condition of the person affected.

People in good training condition usually need less time for complete recovery. Depending on the extent of the injury, it can take four weeks to three months before the patient is able to resume sports activities.