If you’re like us, you enjoy being active. Especially when we were younger, running and participating in sports that tended to be rough on our feet and ankles were a common past-time. For some people, this translated into experiencing one or more sprains or fractures in their lifetimes! When you experience one or more sprain or fracture, you run the risk of weakening the areas of your feet and ankles affected by that injury. For example, repeated ankle sprains can, over time, make you more vulnerable to future sprains and even more so to fractures.

This can be avoided by seeking professional rehabilitation services to help you recover from these injuries.  People who experience one or more fractures in their feet and ankles have a higher risk of developing arthritis in the affected bone or joint. If you have a history of ankle sprains or fractures and have now developed arthritis in the affected foot, it’s helpful to know how to tell the difference between a sprain and a fracture if you’re injured again in the future. This can help you get the right kind of treatment you need to recover better!

What do I look out for when it comes to sprains?

• Inflammation and aching pain
• Muscle spasms
• Reduced range of motion
• Muscle cramping

What do I look out for when I suspect it’s a fracture?

• Inflammation and swelling
• A significant amount of pain
• Excessive bruising
• A complete inability to bear weight

And what symptoms overlap, making it difficult to tell the difference?

• Foot or ankle stiffness
• Painful inflammation or aching
• Swelling of various degrees
• Bruising all over the affected area

For people with a history of sprains and fractures who have now developed arthritis in the affected foot or ankle, don’t wait any longer – schedule an appointment to have Dr. Lilly Khavari at Carrollton Foot Center assess the situation! Your long-term care and comfort matters. Call us at (469) 998-3668 to get an appointment with us in Carrollton, Texas.  We proudly serve patients in Denton, Dallas and Collin Counties.