My ankle is swollen after a fall. What to do if you twist your ankle and your ankle is swollen? How to treat at home? Infusion of St. John's wort and wheat germ

There's nothing easier than twisting your ankle. This is one of the most common injuries both at home and in professional or sports activities. The reason may be a simple slip on uneven roads or a fall during icy conditions. This type of injury is always accompanied by swelling of the injured limb, so all people need to know what to do if they twist their leg and their ankle is swollen.

To avoid serious complications, you need to know the distinctive features of different types of foot injuries in order to provide first aid in a timely manner, select the correct treatment and quickly restore your motor activity.

What injuries lead to swelling?

You can injure your ankle during active sports activities, slipping or careless walking. By understanding the principle of development of an ankle injury, you can take the necessary measures in a timely manner and prevent serious developments.

The injury occurs when the ankle ligaments are loaded with a mass that is 6 times the weight of the human body. Both an adult and a child can injure a leg in this way, but if in children it is caused by bruises and serious injuries, then in adults injuries are more often diagnosed due to pathologies of the ankle itself.

People with arthritis, arthrosis, osteoporosis and those who have previously injured their leg in this area are at risk.

The ankle can swell due to various types of injuries, most often this symptom is characteristic of the following injuries:

Symptoms depending on the cause

Let's consider all the manifestations that can accompany ankle injuries, depending on the cause that provoked them.

Sprains, tears and tears

When muscle fibers are strained, symptoms will vary depending on the severity of the injury.

With a first degree sprain, the symptoms are mild. The victim can put weight on his leg, but it will hurt when walking, causing a slight limp.

The injured joint becomes inflamed, and a small bruise may appear at the site of injury.

The second and third degrees of sprain are characterized by the following symptoms:

• , extends not only to the ankle, but to the entire foot. The swelling subsides for at least a week, but a bruise remains in its place;
• acute pain that lasts for at least an hour and then subsides a little. When the leg is twisted with swelling of the ankle, the patient moves with difficulty;
• bruises appear when several ligaments are injured at the same time. The first few days, bruising covers the entire outside of the foot. Motor function is gradually restored, and the hematoma changes its color.

When a ligament ruptures or tears, the symptoms will also vary depending on the severity of the injury:

• 1st - the ligaments are torn, and moderate pain is felt in the leg, it may swell a little. Motor activity is not impaired;
• 2nd – torn ligaments limit motor activity. The swelling spreads to the lower leg and the entire foot;
• 3rd - with a complete rupture of the ligaments, the victim cannot move, feels severe pain, extensive bruising occurs, and the leg swells at the site of injury.

Dislocations and subluxations

With subluxation and dislocation, the ligaments are damaged, this provokes the following symptoms:

• pain that subsides after a while;
• crunching sound during injury;
• the foot is deformed;
• the ankle swells instantly, and a hematoma may appear;
• it is difficult for a person to lean on the injured leg, the motor activity of the limb is disrupted, since the foot freezes in a forced position.

Fractures

A fracture of the bones that form the ankle joint can be caused by a sudden dislocation of the leg. It can be open or closed. Along with a fracture, ligament ruptures or foot dislocation are often diagnosed.

An open fracture is clearly identified by a lacerated wound, from which bone fragments can be seen outside.

There are other symptoms of this injury:

• severe pain not only when walking, but also at rest;
• it is impossible not only to stand on your feet, but also to lean on an injured limb;
• due to joint deformation, the leg has irregular shape;
• the limb may have unnatural mobility;
• the ankle swells, hematomas occur;
• the leg may become numb;
• the foot does not bend, the toes do not move.

Diagnostics

If your leg is twisted and swollen, you need to go to the emergency room to determine the type of injury and the extent of damage to the limb. The traumatologist initially visually examines the injury; since this is a common type of injury, an examination will be enough for an experienced specialist to make a diagnosis.

To confirm the results of the examination, an x-ray of the damaged area of ​​the leg is prescribed, and in more severe cases, a CT or MRI. Using these research methods, it is possible to clearly determine the location of the injury, assess associated injuries and the condition of the ligaments. If there are multiple injuries in one joint, you simply cannot do without this type of diagnosis.

All diagnostic measures must be carried out on the day of injury, After receiving the result, treatment is prescribed. This can be either drug therapy or surgery.

First aid

In order to prevent the development of complications in the future, and immediately after an ankle injury to alleviate the condition of the victim, you should know how to relieve swelling and provide first aid for such injuries. There are several basic rules that should be followed before providing qualified medical assistance:

• The leg must be fixed in the position in which it found itself after the injury. There is no need to try to put bones back in place or straighten a joint. To immobilize the leg, you can use an improvised splint from improvised means that is tightly wound to the leg to prevent additional damage;
• the victim needs to be kept calm; there is no need to force him to walk or move his fingers. This can cause not only pain, but will also further aggravate the ankle injury. Until medical assistance is provided, the victim should rest;
• Ice or a cold compress will help reduce pain and prevent swelling. They should be applied as soon as possible immediately after the injury. Edema must be eliminated as early as possible, since it compresses blood vessels, causes pain and interferes with diagnostic measures;
• you need to squeeze the injured limb quite strongly; to do this, the attached splint must be bandaged as tightly as possible to prevent unnecessary activity. If after bandaging your leg turns blue and swelling begins to increase, you need to loosen the bandage a little;
• the injured leg must be raised slightly above the level of the heart; for this, the victim must be laid on a flat surface, and a cushion or folded clothing must be placed under the limb.

It is important to provide first aid to the victim as quickly as possible; this can be done by passers-by or any people to whom he turned.

Treatment

Only a doctor can tell you exactly how to treat an injured limb after all diagnostic measures have been carried out. In any case, the victim will be prescribed medication.

If your leg is sprained, you may be prescribed medications from several pharmacological groups:

• to relieve pain and swelling, you need to smear the bones and the rest of the foot with special ointments or gels that relieve pain, warm or, conversely, cool the injured ankle;
• non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs help eliminate pain and generally alleviate the condition;
• chondroprotectors that will help restore injured tissues and accelerate recovery processes in the body.

The injured person will have an acute injury if he twisted his leg just a few days ago. In this case, you must remember to follow the following recommendations:

• for the first two days, warm compresses and ointments should not be applied to the sprained leg, because they can exacerbate the inflammatory process;
• Warming ointments can be used in cases where the swelling has not yet subsided, but the temperature of the skin at the site of injury has returned to normal.

The duration of drug treatment will depend on the degree of damage, the general health of the patient, the timeliness of contacting a traumatologist and the accuracy of compliance with the prescribed instructions.

For fractures and ligament ruptures, drug treatment is not enough; the victim must be given a plaster cast, which, depending on the severity of the condition, must be worn from a month to 36 days.

For complete ligament ruptures and complex fractures, surgical intervention can be performed, followed by the application of plaster and the use of a bone traction apparatus, if necessary.

With the high skill of the traumatologist, it is possible to do without surgery, but only if the x-ray confirms the correct reduction of the joint and the exact location of the broken bones.

In addition to conservative therapy, there are many unconventional ways to eliminate swelling when an ankle is injured, but their use must be coordinated with a doctor.

At home

If the traumatologist does not find serious injuries such as ligament ruptures or fractures, then he may allow the patient to be treated at home, but in this case you need to clearly know what to do at home with the injured limb.

Before using any folk remedies, you must consult a specialist.

Here are some effective methods for treating ankle injuries at home:

• warm baths. To prepare them, you will need a couple of liters of warm water, in which ½ cup of sea salt is dissolved. To increase the effectiveness of the treatment, you can add a couple of drops of fir oil to the brine. The feet must be immersed in water so that the swollen part is completely covered. Duration of the procedure – 10 minutes;
• To activate the process of restoration of injured tissues, as well as to relieve swelling and relieve pain, they use compresses made from natural ingredients, which are rubbed, laid out on fabric and tightly wrapped around the damaged joint.
  

  If you make a vodka compress, you must cover the gauze soaked in vodka with polyethylene and change it every 6 hours.

  This compress relieves swelling in two days. In the same way, you can make a compress based on homemade cow's milk;

• To prepare a ginger compress, you need to grate the ginger root onto a fine grater and squeeze out the resulting pulp. The squeezed juice is mixed with 100 ml of warm water and heated for 5 minutes over low heat. The resulting solution is soaked into the fabric and applied to the injured part of the limb. After each time the towel cools down, the procedure for preparing a compress must be repeated;
• To prepare a compress from black arnica, you need to take 4 tablespoons of its dried flowers and pour a liter of boiling water. The fabric is moistened in the resulting solution and applied to the bruised area;
• you can make lotions from burdock leaves or aloe juice, they help relieve pain and reduce swelling;
• The tea compress is prepared as follows: tea leaves are poured with boiling water and infused for 15 minutes. A towel is soaked with the resulting tea leaves, which is then applied to the injured ankle. The procedure lasts 10-15 minutes;
• Cabbage compress relieves swelling and pain. To prepare it, you need to wash the cabbage leaves, cut them with a knife and apply to the bruised area. Place a warm towel over the compress and leave it overnight;
• You can apply finely grated potatoes to the injured leg. Covering it with a towel, you need to keep the compress in this way for at least 6 hours;
• Grated onion pulp, which is laid out on a piece of gauze and fixed with a towel on the leg at the site of injury, perfectly eliminates swelling. You need to keep this compress for at least 1.5 hours.

What is prohibited to do

If, in addition to short-term pain and swelling, a person who has injured his leg does not feel any other symptoms, then he may not take the injury seriously.

Such carelessness could cost him dearly. In fact, any injury to the body is a shock, and in a state of shock all forces are mobilized, so the victim may not pay attention to the seriousness of the whole situation, feeling only a slight stiffness in the limb.

When the first shock passes, the symptoms begin to increase, and cold compresses and homemade ointments cease to have an effect. It is extremely undesirable for victims to bring themselves to this state, since it is much more difficult to cure old injuries, so it is recommended to seek help from a specialist immediately after injury. Until medical assistance is provided, under no circumstances should you do the following:

• stand up independently and lean on the injured limb;
• straighten a dislocated joint;
• write a refusal to hospitalize;
• warm the limb with compresses, apply heating pads, use strong painkillers;
• put stress on the joint.

All of these actions contribute to increased pain, and delaying a visit to the doctor can provoke the development of complications after injury.

Prevention

You can twist your ankle either at home or at work, or just while walking down the street or going for a morning jog. This is a very common injury from which no one is immune, but there are several recommendations that, by following them, can significantly reduce the likelihood of ankle injury:

• wear only comfortable shoes;
• follow the rules of staying in the gym and on the sports ground;
• use a safety rope when climbing mountains;
• wear spiked shoes when hiking;
• if increased load on the ankle joint is expected, bandage it;
• Treat even the smallest and most minor injuries in a timely manner, so that in a neglected state they do not provoke the development of complications and do not increase the likelihood of re-injury.

If, after twisting, your leg is swollen and painful, you should not delay your visit to the traumatologist, so as not to aggravate the situation and quickly regain your motor activity.

The ankle is a vulnerable and often injured area of ​​the leg; it bears a serious load created by the human body. An athlete, a child, or a person whose profession involves an active lifestyle are not immune from such an injury. If you took a bad start in running, placed your foot poorly when landing after a jump, or hit yourself hard while walking, the overloaded ankle joint could not stand it and resulted in pain, swelling, and hematoma.

In winter, older people suffer from this injury; after 50 years, bones become fragile and ligaments become less elastic. Women who wear high-heeled shoes are susceptible to a similar problem. I have to react quickly, hurry: I was in a hurry, I twisted my ankle, . It hurts to lean on the foot, the leg does not obey, it has lost mobility.

If your leg is twisted, your ankle is swollen, the pain does not go away, these are considered symptoms of the listed injuries:

• Sprain.
• Tear or rupture of ligaments.
• Dislocation or subluxation.
• Bone fracture.

A sprain occurs when, due to an unsuccessful positioning of the leg, the heel turns inward, causing damage to the fibers that make up the joint.

Symptoms characteristic of sprains

• The ankle bone hurts when you press it or when you feel it;
• The joint is poorly mobile, unstable, painful;
• The pain intensifies when bending or straightening the leg;
• The ankle is swollen and blue;
• Redness and swelling appear at the injured area.

What to do in case of a sprain:

1. Ensure a comfortable position for the injured person: sit or lay down (if possible), remove shoes;
2. Apply a cold compress;
3. Apply an anesthetic and decongestant ointment that does not warm, eliminating the risk of increased swelling;
4. Secure the foot to the shin with a tight bandage to form an angle of 90 degrees to ensure a comfortable position, provided for by the human structure. The bandage should not pinch the bloodstream and is removed after 2-3 hours.

After first aid is provided, the injured person is transported to a medical facility, where treatment and rehabilitation are prescribed. With a competent approach, correct treatment and rehabilitation, the injury will go away in 2-3 weeks.

With tears, a ligament or several ligaments are torn in fragments, but the ability of the joint to perform its function is preserved, although it is unstable. In a rupture, the ligament(s) are completely torn, leaving the person unable to walk due to severe, sharp pain.

Symptoms characteristic of rupture and tear

With injuries of this type, identical areas of the ankle are damaged, the symptoms and first aid actions are similar. The severity of the injury varies.

• a swollen ankle is a sign of inflammation and accumulation of joint fluid where the leg has turned;
• a hematoma appeared;
• the injured leg hurts a lot;
• lacks the ability to move independently;
• the foot moves in different directions, but can lead to unwanted dislocations.

What to do in case of rupture (tear) of ligaments:

1. Take a calm, comfortable position with your leg on a pillow (above heart level).
2. Apply cold compresses to the injured area. It is preferable to keep the compress for 15-20 minutes every 3-4 hours for a couple of days. Thanks to the cold, the swelling subsides and the pain subsides.
3. Take painkillers, anti-inflammatory drugs (after consulting with your doctor), apply an anesthetic ointment with a cooling effect to the tumor.
4. Secure the foot to the shin with a tight bandage to create a 90-degree angle (straight) to ensure the most comfortable position required by the human structure. The bandage should not pinch the blood flow; it is applied progressively from the heel towards the knee. If the foot moves in different directions, it is necessary to put a splint on the leg from improvised materials, immobilizing it.

You need to go to a trauma center so that the doctor prescribes treatment and rehabilitation measures. For complex ruptures, surgical intervention is required. The minimum recovery period for a tear will be 3-4 weeks, for a rupture - 6-8.

Dislocation, subluxation are common ankle injuries. When a dislocation occurs, the position of the articular bones is disrupted, which is accompanied by a rupture or tear of the ligaments. When a subluxation occurs, the bones of the joint move toward each other without losing contact.

Symptoms characteristic of dislocation and subluxation

The injuries are similar in characteristics and signs, but differ in severity. Symptoms:

• the functioning of the joint is impaired;
• the ankle is slightly swollen (with subluxation), in severe cases the swelling is obvious, spreading to the entire foot;
• the ankle hurts when walking and feeling, with complications it is impossible to walk, acute pain does not leave the leg in a calm state, at times it radiates to the knee.

What to do in case of dislocation or:

1. Immobilize the leg by placing it on a bolster, pillow, or other device;
2. To fix it immobile, apply a tight sling and splint, make sure that the bandage does not constrict the blood flow and the limb does not go numb;
3. Apply cold to the sore spot to reduce swelling and pain;

If your leg doesn't seem to hurt too much, visit your doctor to diagnose the injury and make medical recommendations for treatment and rehabilitation. If the injury is not aggravated by other signs, the patient follows the doctor’s orders - the recovery period is 8 - 10 weeks.

An ankle fracture occurs when the leg is twisted due to an unsuccessful landing after a jump or fall from a height. The extreme and severe degree of ankle joint injuries is indicated. Those most at risk for this type of injury are adults with fragile bones or children whose bones are not fully formed.

Fractures can be closed or open. Accompanied by the above injuries - ligament rupture or. An open fracture has visible bone fragments in the wound and is difficult to treat.

Symptoms characteristic of a fracture:

• sharp, severe pain at rest and with movement;
• unable to stand on one's feet;
• the leg takes on an irregular shape due to deformation of the joint;
• unnatural leg mobility;
• the ankle is swollen, bruising and bruising are possible;
• the sensitivity of the limb disappeared (numbness occurred);
• It is impossible to bend the foot and move the toes.

What to do if your leg is broken

1. Immobilize the limb to prevent the possibility of displacement of broken bones, which can injure muscles and skin.
2. In case of bleeding, the blood is stopped by applying a tourniquet; if the blood flows under low pressure, a tight bandage is applied above the fracture site.
3. The wound is treated with hydrogen peroxide or chlorhexidine and iodine solution, after which an aseptic dressing is made.
4. Apply a splint, wrapping a bandage (if available) with available material (boards, sticks, similar material) inside and outside the leg, fixing the knee and ankle. Place a board under the knee to prevent the leg from bending, or wrap the injured leg with a bandage to the healthy leg. This is done to prevent the broken bone from moving when transporting the victim.
5. You cannot independently take actions to set a broken bone or remove foreign bodies from the wound, which worsen the condition and complicate treatment.

Try to contact doctors for help.

Treatment of a fracture depends on the severity and can be traditional or surgical. Rehabilitation without complications will take up to 6 weeks, with complications it will take at least 4 months.

General recommendations for assistance if your leg has sprained and your ankle hurts

• The victim experiences pain and shock, especially the child. It is important to take steps to ensure that a shocked child does not aggravate the injury. It is necessary to calm and immobilize the person until a safe position of the leg is established.
• If the swelling and pain in the limb do not go away, take a bath with sea salt, the temperature of which does not exceed a comfortable 36 degrees. Keep the injured leg in water for 10 minutes, repeating the procedure for 10 days.
• Folk recipes become a means to reduce pain and swelling: burdock leaves, cabbage, aloe juice, from which lotions are made on the sore spot.
• Do not put any weight on the injured leg, keep it at rest until recovery.
• Follow the doctor's recommendations. Don't be afraid to exercise your leg when the injury goes away.

Any injury is unpleasant and painful. Having acquired knowledge of first aid measures if your leg has sprained, you may not have to worry while waiting for help. To protect yourself from such injury, follow safety precautions when moving on slippery surfaces, while playing sports, wear comfortable shoes, and watch your step.

The ankle joint, another name for which is the ankle, is a complex articulation of three bones that keeps a person in an upright position. What should be done to prevent the ankle from swelling after, for example, a lady in high heels twisted her ankle or suffered a bruise?

A sedentary lifestyle leads to a weakening of the joint system, so when walking it is more difficult to maintain stability in the joint: the leg twists on slippery ice, the articular head comes out of the bursa, and dislocation occurs. To avoid this, you need to do gymnastics!

You can always do gymnastics at home. Walk around the apartment on the outside or inside of your feet, stretch your toes when sitting in front of the TV, and don’t forget to rotate your feet in a circle. In summer, walk barefoot on pebbles, grass, and sand. Scatter small objects (such as buttons) on the floor and collect them with your feet. Even if you work at a desk at home, roll a bottle or dumbbells with your feet.

Alarming symptoms

High or low loads, bruises, ice, diseases of the musculoskeletal system are the causes of a dislocation, subluxation or sprain of the ankle. High heels are also the cause of complaints from girls: “I sprained my ankle!” Articular ligaments, synovial fluid, articular surface, pressure in the articular cavity, articular capsule - everything is involved in the strong connection of bones. The listed factors lead to a violation of the integrity of the articular apparatus.

The victim will certainly notice several symptoms.

1. First of all, a person complains that he is in pain.
2. There is no or limited mobility (the duration of the symptom depends on the type of damage).
3. The leg is swollen.
4. Redness, bluish discoloration of the skin around and above the joint.
5. Presence of wounds, scratches, abrasions, bleeding.

First aid to the victim

If a person twists his leg or has a bruise, you do not need to determine what type of injury is in the joint; you must immediately call an ambulance. This is due to the fact that the symptoms of dislocation, subluxation, sprain and bruise are similar to each other. The damaged joint should definitely be checked with an x-ray to exclude the presence of a closed fracture, check the condition of the articular ligaments and the location of the bones. In a medical facility, if a sprain occurs, a splint will be applied to fix the ankle.

You should definitely calm down and not be nervous. Wherever the victim is, you need to provide him with peace and not step on the injured leg, even if the patient says: “I can go!” At home or indoors, you should place your foot on a bolster. Before applying a splint or bandage, clean the skin surface. If there is no damage, just a bruise, then remove dirt or dust with water or a dry cloth. For wounds, use hydrogen peroxide, potassium permanganate, iodine, brilliant green.

When a person is in a remote area, there is no way to call an ambulance or visit a doctor. In this case, an improvised splint is made that will ensure immobility (immobilization). A board, stick, or any available tool is suitable for this purpose.

How to perform immobilization?

If the leg is swollen, a bandage is applied to the joint to prevent the swelling from spreading to the ankle. You can bandage with gauze, a special elastic or simple bandage, a scarf, or improvised means. You need to start over the joint in a circle, then move to the foot, wrapping it transversely, and then return to the ankle in a figure-of-eight move. Repeat each movement twice, and secure the bandage at the end. When fixing your leg, be sure to leave your toes visible: their blueness indicates that the bandage is too tight and there is not enough blood flow.

Methods of pain relief

To alleviate the condition, use ice after a bruise, and if possible, do not forget to use cold compresses. Use a towel or other soft material, soak it in cold water, and apply it to the joint. Keep it like this for ten minutes, then remove it for ten minutes. You can alternate for an hour. Cold slows down the movement of blood and lymph in the vessels, reduces the sensitivity of receptors, acting as an essential pain reliever when you twist your leg.

If the victim is in pain, give a painkiller: “Nise”, “Ketoral”, analgin. Anti-inflammatory and painkillers are useful for joints: Celecoxib, Ibuprofen, Diclofenac, Troxevasin.

A consultation with a doctor is required; he will evaluate the x-ray data and prescribe appropriate treatment.

What to do after first aid?

Regeneration of articular structures takes a long time, so be patient. Try to keep the joint at rest as long as possible, otherwise excessive mobility can lead to re-dislocation. You can continue to relieve pain in the same way, apply bandages, massage, iodine mesh, warm baths and rub in warming ointments. After removing the splint, practice exercises to develop the ligaments. Girls will probably prefer a procedure with sea salt before bed to relieve pain. Immerse your foot in a bath with sea salt for ten minutes, the duration of the course is ten days.

If medical care is provided on time, treatment of the joint does not last for a long time.

The ankle is a complex joint that bears a tremendous load. This joint supports the entire weight of a person and performs many movements in different directions when walking or other actions.

You can twist your foot and damage a joint, pull or tear ligaments simply by walking and stepping on your foot unsuccessfully. The most common causes of injuries in this area are:

• increased load on the ankle as a result of active physical activities: sports, dancing, etc.;
• excess weight (it increases the already significant load on this joint);
• pregnancy (a growing belly increases a woman’s weight, moreover, it can put pressure on veins and arteries and impair blood flow in the lower extremities, which is also a risk factor);
• sudden or unnatural movement;
• fall and impact;
• weakness of the ligamentous apparatus;
• age (elderly women are more susceptible to such injury);
• wearing uncomfortable high-heeled shoes.

These factors, individually or in combination, can cause joint injury.

If a person twists his ankle, the following injuries to the ankle joint may occur:

• sprain, tear or complete rupture of the ligament;
• joint dislocation;
• bone fracture of varying severity (closed or open, with or without displacement).

It should be especially emphasized that with age, bones become more fragile, ligaments lose their elasticity, and joints are no longer so strong. This is especially true for women. If an elderly woman falls for no particular reason, and complains that “she was just walking and sprained her ankle,” this is most likely not an injury due to external factors, but the result of weak ligaments and brittle bones.

Main causes of injury:

Some people believe that injuries occur in those who lead an active lifestyle, so they try to take care of themselves and do not play sports. Considering the peculiarity of the structure of the lower extremities, limiting the load leads to weakening of muscles, contraction of ligaments, and impaired blood flow. With atrophied muscles and short ligaments, the body weight is transferred to the bones, and the joints experience overload.

Therefore, any everyday shock, fall, jump, blow leads to dislocation. When a dislocation occurs, the joint moves out of its normal position, the ligaments are stretched due to the rupture of microfibers, and sometimes a large rupture occurs.

You don't have to be an athlete to sprain your ankle. An ordinary person can get an ankle injury literally out of nowhere, by tripping, tripping, twisting his foot, or simply taking an awkward step. Of particular note are the fairer sex who adore high heels. The rule here is simple - the higher the heel, the greater the likelihood of injury.

How can you tell if you have sprained your leg or bruised your joint? The first symptoms are pain in the joint, it is painful to step on, a swollen ankle or a swollen bone. At the first symptoms (especially ankle swelling), go to the nearest hospital and take a photo.

First aid for an ankle injury

Timely provision of first aid is the key to successful treatment of injury.

If you have an ankle injury, you must:

• remove the injured limb from shoes and socks;
• provide complete rest to the leg;
• place a piece of fabric folded in several layers under the injury site;
• secure the leg with a makeshift stand so that it is above the level of the heart in order to reduce blood flow;
• Apply ice to the injury site (if you don’t have it on hand, a piece of meat from the freezer will do the job just fine, or, in extreme cases, a rag soaked in cold water).
• if you twist your foot in your foot, you should bandage your foot and lower leg with an elastic bandage (you should bandage it tightly, but so that the pain in your leg does not increase);
• take some painkiller if the pain does not give you any rest.

If an injury catches you in the park or during a trip to the forest, you will have to get out of the situation with the help of improvised means. For example, a scarf is suitable as a bandage for wrapping your leg, or you can tear a handkerchief. If the injury is serious and the leg hurts, it is necessary to apply a splint, which can be any suitable tree branch.

A scarf, or even sneaker laces, will again come in handy as fastening material. Try to find some kind of pole or stick that you can lean on while walking. Remember that your main task is to get to a crowded place faster, which means you must at least somehow move around.

The entire bone apparatus in the ankle is connected by a special dense capsule. Leg movements are provided by ligaments that act as shock absorbers. Consequently, when injured, the ankle joint can be damaged in any of its components. You should know that sprains account for only 25% of the total number of injuries. Other injuries are more serious: fractures or dislocations.

We list the provoking factors that contribute to ankle injury:

• Active sports;
• Accident;
• Uncomfortable high-heeled shoes;
• Excess weight;
• Sudden movements, falls, blows;
• Pathological changes in the functioning of the blood circulation.

Whatever the cause of the twisted leg, if there is swelling of the ankle, accompanied by severe pain, you need to take the necessary first aid steps and go to the emergency room.

The symptoms and consequences of an ankle injury directly depend on the location of the injury.

A sprained ligament is microdamage at the cellular level of its fibers. Most often it occurs due to the fact that a person has turned his heel inward. The patient can move, but feels severe pain in the leg. When resting the injured limb, the pain goes away within 2 weeks, due to the ability of the ligaments to quickly regenerate.

Injuries due to tears and complete rupture of ligaments are characterized by severe pain. Symptoms of a complete rupture of the ligaments are always pronounced: pain accompanies swelling, and the damaged joint is unstable, it hurts the patient to step on the leg. When one or more ligaments are completely ruptured, a pop is clearly heard, at which time the person experiences sharp pain.

Ankle subluxation occurs due to slight misalignment of the bones. Only a doctor can recognize the pathology using hardware diagnostics using X-rays.

Ankle dislocation manifests itself in damage to the joint, more specifically, its capsule. The talus moves more than 40 degrees. Such injury is always accompanied by severe pain and significant swelling. The entire foot is limited in movement. Pathology requires mandatory immobilization.

A bone fracture can be open or closed. Often accompanied by complications in the form of rupture or tear of ligaments. Severe pain is accompanied by rapid swelling in the area of ​​the entire ankle. The foot does not move, it feels completely numb. Rehabilitation after a fracture takes the longest.

It is important to remember that timely diagnosed pathology and correctly prescribed treatment will allow you to avoid disability, which will occur as a complication after accidentally spraining your leg.

In fact, what we used to call the ankle is the area of ​​the ankle joint. It connects the lower leg and foot and withstands enormous loads every day. The joint includes three bones: the fibula, tibia and talus. The ankle joint can move in two planes (the foot can rotate left and right or pull the toe/reverse movement, as when standing on tiptoes).

All bones in the joint are connected by a strong shell (capsule). The structure is held together by ligaments that act as shock absorbers during movement. A special membrane is stretched between the bones of the lower leg, preventing it from coming apart. Only 25% of ankle injuries are sprained ligaments, the remaining percentage are bone fractures of varying degrees. It is important to know the differences between these conditions so as not to harm yourself when providing first aid.

About 20% of extremity injuries involve ankle injuries. The reason for this is careless exercise, accidents, and unsuccessful walking in high heels. Often women over 40, professional athletes, and people who are overweight turn to the doctor.

After twisting their leg, almost all patients complain of swelling of the ankle, which may indicate serious pathologies that require immediate medical attention.

The unpleasant consequences of an ankle injury depend on the specific area of ​​injury:

• sprain. The fibers that make up the ligament are subject to microdamage, and stretching occurs at the cell level. Often the pathology occurs due to the heel turning inward. Walking during stretching is possible, but the patient feels acute discomfort. Thanks to the rapid regeneration of ligaments, the pathology goes away in 2–3 weeks (subject to bed rest and the use of special means);
• torn ligaments.
• One or more ligaments are not completely torn, but the ankle joint can perform its functions. The damage is accompanied by severe pain and joint instability. In addition to discomfort, the ankle swells and it is difficult for the patient to step on his foot. With proper therapy, complete recovery occurs after 4 weeks; complete rupture of ligaments.
• The pathology is characterized by complete rupture of one or more ligaments, even separation from the bone. During this process, a sharp pop is felt and is accompanied by severe piercing pain. Recovery requires a plaster cast and time (minimum six weeks); subluxation of the ankle joint.
• The injury is often accompanied by displacement of the talus relative to the ankle bones. The pathological process is clearly visible on x-rays; ankle sprain.
• The pathological process is characterized by damage to the joint, in particular its capsule. The displacement of the talus is 40 degrees. The victim feels severe pain, the ankle swells, and foot movements are significantly limited;

bone fracture.

Such damage is often accompanied by dislocation/subluxation, complete or partial sprain. A fracture often occurs as a result of a fall from a height, an unsuccessful landing on a limb, a car accident, or any other dangerous situation. The rehabilitation period after a fracture without displacement is about six weeks, with displacement – ​​up to 4 months.

• Signs of tears and complete rupture of ligaments or muscles
• A torn ligament or muscle is a serious injury that requires long-term treatment. Pain and swelling occur in the same area as the sprain, but the pathology differs in the complexity of the damage. The symptoms will be as follows:
• sharp pain in the ankle area;
• rapidly growing swelling and hematoma;

First aid is practically no different from that needed for a sprain. In case of serious violations of tissue integrity, the help of a doctor is necessary; it is impossible to cure such an injury at home. If a patient has a rupture of muscles, ligaments or tendons, in most cases they are connected surgically.

The modern rhythm of life forces a person to constantly rush somewhere. During a twisted leg, the victim may not attach any importance to the injury, only after detecting swelling in the ankle area and pain (which intensifies in the evening) will they suspect something is wrong. Doing this is strictly prohibited!

Sprain (partial damage to the fibers is the most successful outcome of twisting the foot):

• edema;
• difficulty moving in the damaged joint;
• Rarely does bruising occur in the ankle area;
• pain that gets worse when trying to move the affected leg while walking.

Ligament rupture:

• swelling. Not only the ankle increases in size, over time the entire foot swells, which indicates the accumulation of fluid in the intercellular space;
• difficulty walking, bruising (a sign of hemorrhage);
• instability in the joint, nonspecific motor activity.

Fracture (considered the most severe, difficult to treat result of ankle injury):

• the patient feels a sharp shooting pain in the ankle;
• it is impossible to stand on the injured leg;
• unnatural position of the foot, uncharacteristic movements in the joint (up to 18 degrees);
• numbness of the limb, swelling over the entire surface of the ankle joint;
• You can't move your toes.

Important! Carefully examine the injured leg, remember your sensations, the first actions after damage to the ankle joint depend on this.

Symptoms of a Sprain

Symptoms of dislocation and internal damage to the joint that require consultation with a doctor are:

• pain that does not go away or increases;
• crunching sound when twisting the foot and trying to step on it;
• swelling of soft tissues in the area of ​​injury. It may not appear immediately and be minor, when the bone above the foot is visible, or strong, when the foot and lower leg become swollen so that mobility is limited;
• hematoma (internal bruising);
• impaired mobility of the foot;
• increased pain when trying to turn the foot to the left, right, up or down, or when moving the toes;
• increased pain when touching the injured ankle.

External swelling or bruising may appear some time after the injury, and the lower leg may turn blue and swell due to internal rupture of ligaments and blood vessels. All of the above, individually or in combination, indicate the need to contact a traumatologist.

• The ankle bone hurts when you press it or when you feel it;
• The joint is poorly mobile, unstable, painful;
• The pain intensifies when bending or straightening the leg;
• The ankle is swollen and blue;
• Redness and swelling appear at the injured area.

What to do in case of a sprain:

1. Ensure a comfortable position for the injured person: sit or lay down (if possible), remove shoes;
2. Apply a cold compress;
3. Apply an anesthetic and decongestant ointment that does not warm, eliminating the risk of increased swelling;
4. Secure the foot to the shin with a tight bandage to form an angle of 90 degrees to ensure a comfortable position, provided for by the human structure. The bandage should not pinch the bloodstream and is removed after 2-3 hours.

With tears, a ligament or several ligaments are torn in fragments, but the ability of the joint to perform its function is preserved, although it is unstable. In a rupture, the ligament(s) are completely torn, leaving the person unable to walk due to severe, sharp pain.

With injuries of this type, identical areas of the ankle are damaged, the symptoms and first aid actions are similar. The severity of the injury varies.

• a hematoma appeared;

What to do in case of rupture (tear) of ligaments:

1. Take a calm, comfortable position with your leg on a pillow (above heart level).
2. Apply cold compresses to the injured area. It is preferable to keep the compress for 15-20 minutes every 3-4 hours for a couple of days. Thanks to the cold, the swelling subsides and the pain subsides.
3. Take painkillers, anti-inflammatory drugs (after consulting with your doctor), apply an anesthetic ointment with a cooling effect to the tumor.
4. Secure the foot to the shin with a tight bandage to create a 90-degree angle (straight) to ensure the most comfortable position required by the human structure. The bandage should not pinch the blood flow; it is applied progressively from the heel towards the knee. If the foot moves in different directions, it is necessary to put a splint on the leg from improvised materials, immobilizing it.

You need to go to a trauma center so that the doctor prescribes treatment and rehabilitation measures. For complex ruptures, surgical intervention is required. The minimum recovery period for a tear will be 3-4 weeks, for a rupture - 6-8.

Dislocation, subluxation are common ankle injuries. When a dislocation occurs, the position of the articular bones is disrupted, which is accompanied by a rupture or tear of the ligaments. When a subluxation occurs, the bones of the joint move toward each other without losing contact.

The injuries are similar in characteristics and signs, but differ in severity. Symptoms:

• the functioning of the joint is impaired;
• the ankle is slightly swollen (with subluxation), in severe cases the swelling is obvious, spreading to the entire foot;
• the ankle hurts when walking and feeling, with complications it is impossible to walk, acute pain does not leave the leg in a calm state, at times it radiates to the knee.

What to do in case of a sprained or subluxated ankle:

1. Immobilize the leg by placing it on a bolster, pillow, or other device;
2. To fix it immobile, apply a tight sling and splint, make sure that the bandage does not constrict the blood flow and the limb does not go numb;
3. Apply cold to the sore spot to reduce swelling and pain;

Symptoms characteristic of a fracture:

• sharp, severe pain at rest and with movement;
• unable to stand on one's feet;
• the leg takes on an irregular shape due to deformation of the joint;
• unnatural leg mobility;
• the ankle is swollen, bruising and bruising are possible;
• the sensitivity of the limb disappeared (numbness occurred);
• It is impossible to bend the foot and move the toes.

Sprained muscles and ligaments are one of the simplest injuries that can occur when you fall and injure your ankle. This damage will manifest itself with characteristic symptoms:

• there is a sharp pain in the ankle, which intensifies when the joint moves;
• the bone hurts when touched;
• the area around the injury may become swollen and blue;
• mobility in the damaged joint is impaired.

When treating such an injury, it is important to immobilize the foot by placing a bandage on it and fixing it with the foot at a right angle. You can also apply an ice pack until your doctor seeks help. Warming ointments are contraindicated at first, as they can provoke an exacerbation of inflammation. If the mobility of the ankle is not impaired, this means that a complete rupture of the muscles and ligaments has not occurred.

An ankle sprain is a condition in which the ends of the bones change their position relative to each other. In this case, the victim will not be able to get up and get to the doctor on his own; he will need help. A less dangerous injury is a subluxation of the joint, in which it partially retains mobility.

If a joint is dislocated during a fall, this can be easily determined by the following symptoms:

• swelling of varying intensity: with subluxation it is localized in the ankle area, with dislocation it spreads to the entire area of ​​the foot;
• sharp pain that intensifies when trying to lean on the injured limb;
• the patient cannot fully rely on his leg and moves only with outside help.

When a joint is dislocated, it can swell within a few hours. Tissue swelling will hinder the diagnosis of damage, so it is important to take timely measures to prevent this complication. Cold compresses will constrict the blood vessels, and swelling will be less pronounced.

The only thing you should do if you have a dislocated joint, if touching your ankle or trying to lean on your leg causes pain, is to consult a doctor immediately. In most cases, the patient will need to wear a brace to allow the tissue to heal and prevent further damage to the ankle.

After first aid is provided, the injured person is transported to a medical facility, where treatment and rehabilitation are prescribed. With a competent approach, correct treatment and rehabilitation, the injury will go away in 2-3 weeks.

Ligament rupture

• a swollen ankle is a sign of inflammation and accumulation of joint fluid where the leg has turned;
• a hematoma appeared;
• the injured leg hurts a lot;
• lacks the ability to move independently;
• the foot moves in different directions, but can lead to unwanted dislocations.

Cold compress

If your leg doesn't seem to hurt too much, visit your doctor to diagnose the injury and make medical recommendations for treatment and rehabilitation. If the injury is not aggravated by other signs, the patient follows the doctor’s instructions - the recovery period is 8 - 10 weeks.

An ankle fracture occurs when the leg is twisted due to an unsuccessful landing after a jump or fall from a height. The extreme and severe degree of ankle joint injuries is indicated. Those most at risk for this type of injury are adults with fragile bones or children whose bones are not fully formed.

Fractures can be closed or open. Accompanied by the above injuries - ligament rupture or foot dislocation. An open fracture has visible bone fragments in the wound and is difficult to treat.

Ankle immobilization

Try to contact doctors for help.

Treatment of a fracture depends on the severity and can be traditional or surgical. Rehabilitation without complications will take up to 6 weeks, with complications it will take at least 4 months.

Any injury is unpleasant and painful. Having acquired knowledge of first aid measures if your leg has sprained, you may not have to worry while waiting for help. To protect yourself from such injury, follow safety precautions when moving on slippery surfaces, while playing sports, wear comfortable shoes, and watch your step.

Diagnostics

An ankle injury can be treated only after an accurately established diagnosis, which is made by a doctor based on hardware studies:

• X-ray – allows you to obtain data on the condition of bone tissue;
• CT and MRI are more informative ways to find out the condition of soft and joint tissues.

Treatment methods will vary depending on the extent of the damage to the leg. However, most of them are based on the following key points:

• Providing rest for the twisted leg;
• Immobilization in case of severe injuries;
• If blood accumulates in the joint capsule, it is removed;
• Prescription of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and chondroprotectors;
• Physiotherapy during the recovery period.

If doctors have not identified any serious injuries, but the ankle is very painful, treatment at home is indicated. However, you should not make independent prescriptions in this case either: the therapy must be prescribed by a doctor.

"Home" treatment methods

At first, the injured leg should be provided with complete rest, excluding any physical activity. The ideal option in this case is bed rest for 2-3 days. You can then begin home remedies for injury recovery.

Traditional recipes for the treatment of a twisted leg offer many ways to get rid of severe swelling and pain.

Let's look at some of the most effective and popular recipes offered by traditional healers.

• Garlic Vinegar Essence

3-4 heads of peeled and chopped garlic are poured with apple cider vinegar and left in a dark place for 2-3 days. The resulting essence is moistened with a cloth and applied to the damaged part of the leg. The top of the compress is covered with cellophane and woolen cloth. The effect of the product should last all night. In the morning the compress is removed.

This remedy can not only relieve pain and swelling, but also increase the overall tone of the body.

Sea salt – 4 tbsp. l.; Favorite aromatic oils - 1-2 drops; Water - 2 liters. Make sure the water is not too hot.

Vodka has excellent warming properties. Making such a compress is simple: just soak a cloth in it and apply it to the sore spot. Cellophane and a warm scarf must be placed on top. To keep the compress securely on the leg, it is fixed with a bandage. After 5-6 hours the procedure is repeated.

Warm milk will also help quickly get rid of swelling. The compress is made in the same way as from vodka. However, we must remember that only natural milk has healing properties.

Tansy flowers in a compress have a strong warming effect. Prepare it as follows: 4 tbsp. l. vegetable raw materials are poured with boiling water (half a liter is enough). The container with the infusion is wrapped in a warm cloth and infused for half an hour. Remember that this compress must be used hot! It is placed on gauze and fixed to the leg at the site of injury.

Freshly chopped cabbage, onions, garlic and potatoes relieve pain and swelling no worse than the most expensive pharmaceutical ointments. Each vegetable is used separately, thoroughly chopped. The resulting pulp is placed on a cloth and applied to the sore spot. The entire cabbage leaf can be applied to the swollen part of the body. A mixture of garlic and salt will quickly remove all excess liquid, reducing swelling.

After treatment and complete recovery of the leg, you need to remember that it will be more difficult to avoid re-injury: the ligaments are already stretched. Therefore, it is important to perform special exercises that help strengthen them, wear comfortable shoes and control physical activity.

After an ankle injury, consult a doctor. The doctor will conduct a series of tests and examine the sore leg. Based on the results obtained, he will make the correct diagnosis. To examine the ankle area use:

• radiography.
• CT, MRI.

They are informative diagnostic methods that allow you to assess the condition of the joint, bones, and nearby tissues, which speeds up the process of diagnosis and initiation of treatment.

Effective treatments

If a diagnosis of ankle sprain is made, the doctor will apply a fixative bandage and prescribe oral anti-inflammatory and pain medications and/or external ointments. The medicine can be taken internally only in case of severe pain. Mostly local remedies are prescribed.

Typically, a patient who has twisted his leg in the ankle area is treated at home. Sometimes physiotherapy is prescribed.

A damaged joint can take quite a long time to heal, it all depends on the severity of the injury and the individual characteristics of the victim, as well as on the actions immediately after the injury.

• For those who have twisted their leg or have a swollen ankle, ointments will help cure the injury at home:
• "Fastum gel";
• "Nicoflex";

"Finalgon" and others.

Gels or ointment should be applied to the area of ​​the damaged joint with light massaging movements, 1-2 times daily until the joint stops hurting. The leg should be protected from stress and given rest for several days.

Children's tissues regenerate faster, but you should not neglect going to the doctor. You need to make sure that there is no fracture and follow all prescribed procedures.

• During the treatment of ankle injuries that are associated with an unsuccessful fall or dislocation, medications must be prescribed. They can be sold in the form of gels or ointments for external use, but in some cases tablets are used. They belong to different pharmacological groups:
• painkillers - do not affect the inflammatory process, but simply block the passage of painful nerve impulses to the brain;
• anti-inflammatory ointments - affect different stages of inflammation, relieve pain and swelling of tissues;

cooling or warming compresses are used depending on the stage of inflammation and other factors.

In the first few days after injury, inflammation is acute. During this period, warming ointments are contraindicated, as they can aggravate the process and contribute to its spread to neighboring areas. The main sign that the inflammation has entered the chronic stage is that the temperature at the site of injury drops to normal, but the swelling does not go away.

You already know what to do if you twist your leg and your ankle is swollen, and how to provide first aid. Now it's time to talk about treatment at home.

You will need: sea salt, water, basin, terry towel, aromatic oils. Take 2 liters of warm water and a basin in which you can comfortably place your feet. Dissolve 4 tbsp in water. l. sea ​​salt. The greatest effect is achieved by adding mint, eucalyptus, pine or spruce oil.

Compresses

To make compresses, you can use vodka, tansy flowers, ginger root, green tea, and mountain arnica.

Vodka compress

One of the simplest home recipes. To prepare it, you need to moisten gauze in vodka and apply it to the sore spot, then cover it with a plastic bag or wax paper, place a layer of cotton wool on top of it all and bandage it. The compress needs to be changed every 6-8 hours. It will help you quickly, within 2 days, get rid of swelling on your leg.

Milk compress

This is done in the same way. You can only use warm (not hot) milk. Moreover, the product must be natural

Tansy flower compress

You need 3 tbsp. tansy-colored spoons pour 0.5 liters of boiling water. Leave for 25-30 minutes, wrapped in a towel. Place the still hot mixture on gauze and place it on the injury site as a warming agent.

Ginger root compress

Grate a small amount of ginger and squeeze through cheesecloth into a container, add 5 tbsp. tablespoons of very hot water (but not boiling water, as the beneficial properties of the plant will decrease). Keep the dishes on low heat for about 5 minutes. Then moisten the towel and apply it to the sore spot. After the fabric has cooled, repeat the procedure.

Ginger helps improve blood circulation and remove toxic substances from the body.

Mountain arnica compress

Mix 4 teaspoons of the plant with 1 liter of hot water and let it brew for about 10 minutes.

Green tea compress

Chop the leaves and pour boiling water for 15-20 minutes. Apply the thick tea leaves to the injury site while warm. Green tea relieves pain and reduces swelling.

I twisted my leg, my ankle is swollen, what to do - herbs will help

With a mild injury, slight pain is felt, joint mobility is preserved, and discomfort is felt when moving the leg.

First aid and measures to restore ankle mobility:

• remove outer clothing and shoes;
• fix your leg in a comfortable position;
• do not load the limb for 2-3 days, try to leave it alone more often.

At home, you need to determine the extent of the injury - whether there is a fracture. To do this, you need to move your toes - if there is mobility, then there is no fracture.

If your ankle is injured, you need to take the following measures:

• raise the sore ankle above the level of the heart;
• fix the limb and provide it with rest;
• apply ice to the damaged area and apply an iodine mesh;
• In case of severe pain, wrap the ankle with a tight bandage;
• take painkillers;
• treat abrasions and scratches with hydrogen peroxide or brilliant green.

Hospitalization is necessary if the ankle is rapidly swollen, appears blue, the fibers are torn, it is difficult to move the leg, and there is constant severe pain.

If you sprain your ankle on the street, a scarf or scarf will do instead of a bandage. The tire can be replaced by a tree branch, and it can be secured with laces. Any strong stick can serve as a support when moving until a person reaches a populated area where they can call an ambulance.

At home, you can use ointments that are sold in pharmacies:

• Fastum gel;
• Finalgon;
• Troxevasin;
• Diclofenac;
• Voltaren;
• Nurofen.

These products promote blood circulation, relieve pain and relieve inflammation. Apply the preparations to the ankle joint carefully, in a thin layer.

If after all the procedures the swelling does not go away for several days and the pain intensifies, you should immediately consult a doctor. You cannot make a diagnosis yourself; instead of a dislocation, you may end up with a closed fracture.

Therapy in each specific case is different, it all depends on the degree and area of ​​damage to the ankle after twisting the leg.

First aid

What should you do if your ankle becomes swollen after twisting your leg? The specific course of action depends on the symptoms and the situation around the victim. Approximate sequence of actions:

• provide complete rest to the injured limb. It is forbidden to step on your foot, sit down or lie down, place the limb above chest level (pain is reduced, bleeding stops);
• If necessary, stop the bleeding (apply a tourniquet above the knee). Characteristic of serious injuries, fractures;
• Apply cold (any bag from the freezer will do). Compresses should be no more than 20 minutes with breaks of one hour;
• tight bandage. It is used for all situations except a fracture (with such actions you can aggravate the situation). Use an elastic bandage, wrap it tightly around your ankle in a figure eight;
• immobilize the joint (in case of a fracture). To do this, use a splint or its like made from available materials (a stick or another object tied to the leg, clearly fixing and limiting the movements of the affected leg);
• taking analgesics. Use products from your home medicine cabinet; potent medications often “blur” the clinical picture during an examination by a doctor;
• contact a traumatologist or call an ambulance (for fractures, serious injuries, other injuries to internal organs and limbs).

Drug therapy

The approximate treatment regimen for sprains, dislocations, and ligament ruptures has common aspects; the time frame for complete recovery differs. Approximate treatment plan:

• if necessary, blood is removed from the joint capsule, which immediately reduces swelling in the ankle area;
• application of a plaster splint. Allows you to immobilize the damaged area, speeds up the healing process;
• use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. The drugs relieve inflammation and pain and have a positive effect on the patient’s condition;
• chondroprotectors. Used to initiate the regeneration of bone and cartilage tissue, speed up the rehabilitation period even after a fracture;
• physiotherapy, massage, therapeutic mud. The specific choice of manipulation depends on the degree of damage to the ankle and the characteristics of the patient;
• tight bandaging. Indicated for incomplete ligament rupture, sprain, or during the recovery period after removal of the cast. Such manipulations protect the ligaments, preventing new ankle injuries.

Folk remedies and recipes

Natural drugs do not cope with the problem, but they reduce pain and swelling:

• combine several heads of garlic with apple cider vinegar, let the potion brew for several days. Apply the resulting mass to the damaged area, wrap it in polyethylene and a scarf. Keep the compress on all night;
• use onion pulp and cabbage leaves in a similar way (apply the first ingredient to the sore spot, wrap with a lightly beaten cabbage leaf);
• use green tea. Brew a strong drink, let it brew for 20 minutes. Soak the gauze in the medicine, apply it to the ankle, hold it for several hours, and if necessary, repeat the manipulations after three hours.

Products that can be purchased at a pharmacy

If a person twists his leg and the ankle is swollen, but there is no serious injury to the ankle, you can get by with folk recipes.

They are based on the use of plant decoctions, compresses and baths.

Baths for ankle injuries

Baths with salt and aromatic oils will help relieve swelling and relax your leg. This is not only useful, but also a pleasant procedure.

It is necessary to collect warm water in a suitable container (basin). Dissolve regular salt in it in the proportion of 4 tablespoons of salt per 2 liters of water. Add a few drops of eucalyptus, pine or spruce oil, mint.

Lower your legs into the basin for 15 minutes in the evening. Then dry your feet with a towel, apply gel or cream and leave the injured foot at rest.

So, if a person has twisted his ankle, he can be treated at home only for moderate pain that does not interfere with movement. If the pain is severe, you should go to the hospital to avoid complications.

Something bad happened: I sprained my leg, my ankle was swollen - what can I do? Of course, you can treat it with folk remedies, but it is better to consult a doctor. According to his recommendations, you can purchase some products that will help relieve inflammation, swelling and pain:

• non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs that reduce swelling, relieve inflammation and pain: “Ketonal”, “Fastum-gel”, “Naftalgin”, “Diclofenac”;
• cooling agents based on menthol, camphor: “Bengin”, “Troxevasin”, “Menthol ointment”;
• to improve blood circulation, relieve inflammation, accelerate regeneration processes and prevent the formation of blood clots: Heparin, Lyoton.

When presenting to the emergency room, patients with a sprain are often advised to apply a cast. The plaster fixes the ankle, eliminating the possibility of additional injury. Some doctors believe that a cast is necessary, while others say that in case of a dislocation, a bandage can be used because developing joint mobility in a cast is impossible. Several weeks in a cast are bad for muscles, ligaments and blood vessels.

First aid

If an ankle injury occurs, the joint hurts and is swollen, it is necessary to provide first aid to the victim as soon as possible. If a person is able to move on his own, he can easily cope on his own.

It is not always possible to determine the extent of damage on your own. But in any case, immediately after the incident you need to:

1. Reduce the load on the damaged area, remove shoes and socks if the situation allows and there are no open injuries or severe pain.
2. Sit down and stretch your leg so as not to bend your knee. Spend some time in this position.
3. Apply ice or any cold object that is at hand to the joint.
4. If the pain is moderate, it is possible to move independently, but you can limit yourself to this. For several days, simply smear the damaged area with cooling, analgesic and anti-inflammatory gels. In case of severe pain and loss of mobility of the injured leg, you should call an ambulance or go to the emergency room yourself.

The duration of rehabilitation and treatment largely depends on the actions in the first hours and days after the injury.

What not to do in this situation:

• Jerk your leg sharply, step on it, and try to straighten the dislocation yourself.
• Heating the joint can cause swelling to increase.
• If the victim has twisted his leg and the ankle is swollen, you should not fix the joint with any non-elastic material yourself.
• Diagnose yourself. What at first unprofessional glance may seem like a dislocation will most likely turn out to be a fracture or rupture of ligaments.

It is advisable to consult a doctor for a diagnosis and treatment.

When providing first aid, it is important not to harm the victim. With any injury that is accompanied by sharp pain, a person may experience shock and not realize its severity. It is necessary to immobilize the injured limb, apply a cold compress and wait for the doctors to arrive.

There are several rules with which you can help yourself or a stranger if he has twisted his ankle:

• try to gently move your toes - if these movements do not cause sharp pain, you can rule out ruptures and fractures;
• It is also worth applying a bandage to the area of ​​the foot and ankle, which should fix the joint, but not compress the blood vessels from the inside or outside;
• A cold compress will help prevent swelling.

Scratches, wounds and abrasions can be treated with hydrogen peroxide before applying a bandage. It is not advisable to apply ice to the skin; it is better to place it on top of clothing or a piece of fabric. After completing all these procedures, you must visit a traumatologist. Treatment at home is fraught with serious complications.

Causes of injury and their consequences

The consequences of an ankle injury depend on which joint structures are damaged.

A person can walk and do something, but at the same time he experiences pain. Due to the high ability of cells to recover, the ligament grows together after 10 days. This injury is painful, but with proper treatment it will go away without a trace in a few weeks.

An ankle ligament tear is an incomplete rupture of several or one ligament. Here we note that:

• With a partial rupture, the ligament continues to do its job.
• This injury is characterized by severe pain and instability of the joint.
• A person can step on his foot, however, the pain is very severe. Recovery will occur within 30 days if treated correctly.

An ankle ligament rupture is a complete rupture of the ligament, sometimes even a separation of the ligament from the bone in the area of ​​its attachment. With such an injury, a person hears the sound of a tearing ligament, he cannot do anything.

After this, severe piercing pain occurs if you try to stand on your leg. A plaster cast is needed because the ankle is swollen and needs to be fixed. Treatment continues for up to 8 weeks.

Subluxation of the ankle joint. If the external ligaments are torn, the talus bone may become displaced in relation to the ankle bones. Subluxation is distinguished from dislocation by the angle of displacement of the talus, which is determined using radiographic examination.

Dislocation of the ankle joint. The integrity of the joint and the structure of the joint capsule are compromised. Dislocation can only occur when the ligament is torn.

1. The angle of displacement of the talus can reach 40 degrees.
2. Therapy should be carried out for up to 10 weeks.
3. The danger of injury is that if you ignore the fact that the ankle is swollen and do not carry out proper treatment, then a habitual ankle dislocation may form.

Fracture of the ankle bones. Such an injury in many cases is accompanied by partial or complete rupture of the ligaments, or dislocation. A fracture can occur if you do certain physical exercises without preparation, running or jumping from a height.

The foot twists or an impact occurs and the bone breaks. Recovery from a fracture, provided there is no displacement of the fragments, takes up to 6 weeks.

If both bones of the ankle are fractured with displacement, therapy must be done for more than 4 months.

Ankle sprains, like any sprain in the leg, are microscopic injuries to some of the collagen fibers that make up the ligaments. When stretched, damage occurs at the cellular level. As a rule, a sprain occurs after the heel is turned inward.

An unsuccessfully twisted leg can result in seconds of pain, or maybe weeks of long recovery from torn ligaments. Challenger medical editor Dima Solovyov explains what to do if you twist your leg and what the severity of the consequences depends on. Be careful!

This has probably happened to each of us: you are walking on a seemingly flat surface, not looking at your feet, and suddenly - on a bump that you had not noticed, your foot turns to the side, and a sharp pain pierces it. This means you have sprained your ankle. Today we will find out what happens in this case, whether such an injury is dangerous and what to do if it does happen.

What does it even mean to “twist your ankle”?

“Twist your foot” is not a medical term, since this combination of words means only the mechanical process of how you can turn your foot in an unusual and unsafe way for it. This usually occurs when the person touches the surface on which a person is walking, although in some sports (such as football) such injuries can occur when touching a ball or any other object.

So twisting the leg itself is not dangerous, but the damage that this can cause to the ankle joint and surrounding tissues is dangerous. The ligamentous apparatus is most often affected, less often - bones, muscles and nerves. Precisely because What gets injured and how strong, the consequences of the injury depend.

What can be damaged by this?

All the consequences of an unsuccessfully twisted leg are taken by the ankle joint. It is located next to the ankle and connects the bones of the leg and foot. Alas, this is a rather fragile and generally “problematic” joint. In order for us to walk easily and freely, it must be quite mobile and therefore consists of small bones that together form a complex system. The situation is further aggravated by the fact that the ankle joint bears the weight of almost the entire body, and under loads such as running or even fast walking, the pressure on the joint only increases. So the consequences of twisting a leg are injuries in the ankle joint: sprains, tears and even torn ligaments, as well as a dislocation of the leg and, in the worst case, bone fractures.

In most cases, the leg rolls inward, causing damage to the ligaments on the opposite (outer) side of the leg. This can lead to their stretching, tearing or even rupture (sometimes a click or crunch is heard at the time of injury). As a rule, the stronger and sharper the leg twists, the more severe the consequences for the ligaments. If the ligaments cannot compensate for too sharp a turn in the joint, it may dislocate, and if a person has a tendency to brittle bones, then even a fracture of the bones located nearby may occur. In short, the consequences can be very different: from mild to quite serious.

What to do if you twist your ankle

If you just twisted your ankle, after ten seconds the pain goes away and you can move on - you don’t need to do anything. However, if the pain still does not go away, you need to examine the leg in the area of ​​the affected ankle joint.

First of all, we pay attention to the nature of the pain. “Suspicious” is considered to be one that remains strong for an hour, appears and intensifies when trying to step on the injured leg. Even touching the skin near the ankle can be painful. This may be accompanied by the appearance of a bruise and swelling of the surrounding tissue. A more formidable symptom is a change in the shape of the joint and a violation of its mobility (especially the appearance of new, previously impossible movements - for example, an unusual deviation to the side). In the most severe cases, even the shape of the adjacent bones may change - this already makes one think about a fracture.

If you sprain your ankle and it continues to hurt, there are four things you need to do:

1. Give her a rest. Try to walk less in the next couple of days; ideally, activity in the affected ankle joint should be kept to a minimum.
2. Cool the joint area. Ice is best for this, but you can also use a towel soaked in cold water. During the first 24 hours, apply it to the ankle for 15-20 minutes every 3 hours. However, do not overdo it: if the skin becomes very pale, immediately remove the ice from your foot and warm it up.
3. Wear something tight on your foot. This can be tight socks, compression stockings or a tight bandage - the goal is to prevent excessive swelling from developing around the ankle joint. The compression should be tight, but not too squeezing, otherwise there is a risk of blood flow disruption.
4. Elevate the affected foot upward, this will also help prevent swelling. We are not talking about lifting it up high: a pillow placed under your leg is quite enough.

If the pain seems too strong to you, then, in the absence of contraindications, you can take painkillers from the group of non-steroidal drugs: paracetamol, ibuprofen, etc. There are also local ointments and gels with a similar effect.

Photo: Morian Marroni / freeimages.com

There are also a few things you should NOT do:

1. Warm baths in the first days are contraindicated. Warm water activates blood supply to the damaged area, which threatens increased swelling and inflammation.
2. You should not continue to walk a lot and play sports, overcoming pain. This can further damage an already diseased joint, which threatens to worsen existing damage.
3. Massage in the area of ​​injury may not be very helpful at first. The reasons are still the same - massage improves blood supply to tissues, and this is not at all what we need: it will increase inflammation, swelling and can even cause bruising.
4. There is one more thing to avoid: letting it sit for too long. Rest in the first day or two is necessary, but subsequently a gradual increase in activity in the ankle only promotes healing. The only exceptions are the most severe injuries, when the pain simply does not allow you to walk, but in such cases you cannot lie at home either - you should consult a doctor.

When to Seek Medical Help

The most common injury in the ankle joint, a sprain, usually goes away on its own and without consequences. However, in some cases, the injury can be much more serious, and it is impossible to do without contacting a doctor. Here are some signs of such an injury:

1. if, after damage to the joint, unusual movements become possible, its stability is impaired;
2. if there is visible bone deformation;
3. if on the second day, when touching the skin over the damaged joint, severe pain persists;
4. if after 4 days it is still difficult to step on the affected leg;
5. if you experience very severe pain, swelling or bleeding;
6. if you notice numbness in all or part of your foot (a sign of nerve damage).

In all these cases, you should contact a traumatologist. He should ask you about the circumstances of the injury and will likely take x-rays. As a rule, this data is sufficient to make a diagnosis, but sometimes additional studies may be required: ultrasound of the joint, CT or MRI.

If you do not have any of the signs listed above, it makes sense to wait and see how the ankle behaves. There is evidence that in case of ligament damage, examination after 5 days is better than examination during the first 2 days. So if there are no pronounced symptoms, you can wait for the pain to disappear in the first days.