Spring is sports season for many amateur athletes and weekend warriors in the Four-State Area. It’s also ankle sprain season for one area foot and ankle surgeon.
Shelly Sedberry, MS, DPM, AACFAS, a foot and ankle surgeon with offices in Joplin, MO, says ankle sprains are one of the most common sports injuries she treats this time of year.
“As people emerge from their winter hibernation and start to get active again, they can injure their ankles playing sports such as basketball, baseball, tennis, and soccer,” she says.
Anyone who injures an ankle requires prompt medical treatment, whether it’s their first sprain or their fifth. Rest, ice, compression, and elevation (R.I.C.E.) can reduce swelling and pain until the ankle can be evaluated and treated by a foot and ankle surgeon. A sprain may not always be a sprain; the ankle could be fractured.
Dr. Sedberry notes that many athletes develop chronic ankle instability from repeated ankle sprains, causing their ankle to frequently “give way.” In some cases, these players may require surgery. Proper rehabilitation of an ankle sprain reduces the likelihood of developing chronic ankle instability.
Dr. Sedberry shares three spring ankle sprain prevention tips from www.foothealthfacts.org:
- Perform warm-up stretches and exercises before playing sports.
- Wear the right shoes for the sport. For example, don’t wear running shoes for sports that involve a lot of side-to-side movement, such as tennis and basketball.
- Wear an ankle brace if you’re recovering from an injury or have repeatedly sprained your ankle.
Shoal Creek Foot & Ankle Center is located at 1801 West 32nd Street, Building C, Suite 102 in Joplin, MO. Office hours are Monday through Friday, from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm. Wednesday evening and Saturday morning appointments are available. To schedule an appointment, call (417) 622-0648. For additional information, visit www.shoalcreekfac.com.
Shoal Creek Foot & Ankle Center 