Ankle Sprains from Outdoor Activity – Learn the Risks with Your Podiatrist Boynton Beach

Ankle Sprains can be incredibly painful, leaving you with limited mobility throughout the healing process. There’s a misconception that sprains are mostly suffered by sportspeople and those who engage in intense physical activity. The reality is that almost anyone could suffer from an ankle sprain, even with casual sports and leisure activities.

Understanding the risk factors can help you to avoid ankle sprains. Here’s all you need to know, and how you can get a sprain treated by your podiatrist Boynton Beach.

Ankle Sprain Risk Factors – More Than Just a Sporting Injury

From poorly conditioned muscles to a history of ankle sprains, several factors can increase your risk of suffering an injury in the future. While you can always get effective treatment for a sprain with your podiatrist Boynton Beach, it pays to understand the risks and mitigate them as much as possible.

These are the most common factors affecting people from all backgrounds and lifestyles.

ankle sprainA History of Ankle Sprains

Even if you’ve only sprained an ankle once in the past, your risk of suffering another sprain will increase. This is especially true if you didn’t get effective treatment with a qualified foot doctor Boynton Beach.

If you have suffered more than one sprain, then you could suffer from a condition called ankle instability. The ligaments can stretch and deteriorate over time, making it easier to roll your ankle and damage the ligament.

If you have a history of ankle sprains and you are even moderately physically active, you can schedule an appointment with your podiatrist Boynton Beach. A full examination will determine the health of your ankle. Specific exercises and even orthotic support or strapping could help to prevent a repeat injury.

High Arches and Ankle Sprains

If you have abnormally high arches, you’re more likely to roll your foot inwards when walking, running, or landing from a jump. This could occur at any time, whether you’re stepping out of your car at a grocery store parking lot, or taking a relaxed stroll.

If high arches aren’t causing other problems, orthotics are often used to provide additional support and prevent inward rolling of the ankle. Orthotics are different from the insoles that you can buy over the counter at a pharmacy or sports store. Your podiatrist Boynton Beach will examine your foot and design a custom orthotic using advanced imaging and computer modeling techniques.

Custom orthotics could give you more mobility and confidence in your step, and can even reduce foot pain related to high arches.

Poorly Conditioned Muscles

When your ankle rolls, the muscles around it contract to protect the ligament. When these fail to offset the stress applied, the ligament can tear or rupture. If your muscles are poorly conditioned, you’re at higher risk of suffering from a sprained ankle. Stepping awkwardly downstairs or even walking on uneven ground can become incredibly risky.

Specific exercises can help to build muscle strength and ankle flexibility. Stretches, rotational exercises, and strength training are all effective. If you want to learn more about the strength and conditioning of your ankle, you can book a consultation with your foot doctor Boynton Beach.

Other Ankle Sprain Risk Factors and Activities

You’re more likely to suffer from an ankle sprain if:

  • You don’t stretch and warm-up before briskly walking, running, or playing sports.
  • You wear footwear lacking arch and ankle support when hiking or walking on uneven ground.
  • You are overweight or obese. Managing your weight can reduce the risk of spraining an ankle.
  • You play basketball, soccer, football, tennis, or other high-intensity sports, even casually.
  • You regularly walk or exercise barefoot.

Seeking Treatment from a Podiatrist Boynton Beach

If you’ve sprained your ankle or if you have a history of sprains and believe is weakened, you can schedule an appointment with your podiatrist Boynton Beach.

At the Foot, Ankle & Leg Vein Center, our talented foot doctors can help you to recover from an injury or improve conditioning if you have a weakened ankle or suffer from chronic instability. Dr. Jason Gold is an esteemed podiatrist with a history in sports medicine. He has worked with countless high-level athletes to recondition ankles and improve performance.

Just because you don’t play sports professionally, it doesn’t mean that your risk of an ankle sprain is minimized. Protect yourself in every way you can, and talk to your sports medicine specialist for effective long-term solutions.

Dr. Jason Gold, DPM, FACFAS

Dr. Jason Gold, DPM, FACFAS, is a podiatrist at the Foot, Ankle & Leg Vein Center in Boca Raton, FL, and Boynton Beach, FL. He has over 20 years of experience and specializes in foot and ankle conditions like bunions, fat pad atrophy, and sports medicine. Dr. Jason holds a Bachelor of Science from the University of Maryland, College Park, and he earned his Doctor of Podiatric Medicine from Temple University School of Podiatric Medicine in Philadelphia. He's one of only 10 board-certified Reconstructive Foot & Ankle Surgeons in Palm Beach County. Dr. Gold has been featured in highly authoritative publications like HuffPost, PureWow, and Yahoo!

Dr. Jodi Schoenhaus , DPM - Podiatrist in Boca Raton, FL

Dr. Jodi Schoenhaus DPM, RPhs, FACFAS

Dr. Jodi Schoenhaus, DPM, RPhs, FACFAS, is a podiatrist at the Foot, Ankle & Leg Vein Center in Boca Raton, FL, and Boynton Beach, FL. She has over 20 years of experience and specializes in foot, ankle, and leg vein conditions like spider and varicose veins and sclerotherapy. Dr. Jodi holds a Bachelor of Science from the University of Michigan, and she earned his Doctor of Podiatric Medicine from Temple University School of Podiatric Medicine in Philadelphia. Dr. Schoenhaus has performed FDA-approved research and has been published in the National Library of Medicine and PubMed. Dr. Jodi has been featured in highly authoritative publications like Cosmopolitan, Lifehacker, Parade, New York Post, and Yahoo!, among others.