The ankle bruise is where the picture is taken

A bruised ankle is one of the most common injuries. You can get injured during sports and in everyday life. You can bruise your ankle on a protruding object, fall, or hit with your foot. If you have bruised your ankle, you will immediately notice the signs of the injury - it hurts to walk or lean on your foot. The ankle is swollen, and there may be skin damage and internal bruising just below the ankle.

Fracture of the foot

First aid measures for foot and ankle injuries

The human foot is located directly below the ankle joint. The foot consists of 26 small bones that are connected to the joints. The main function of this joint is to absorb the shocks to the body that occur during movement. The ankle joint consists of the fibula and the tibia, with the talus bone underneath. It has a sort of blocky shape anchored by bands. When you get a bruise on your foot, you always feel severe pain because the skin and muscle layer is quite thin, so any shocks reach the bone tissue. This quickly leads to swelling, and so we all look for a folk remedy to relieve the pain. A heating pad with ice is the first resort, but do not put pressure on the leg for too long. In the case of a sprained foot, the severity can be determined based on the external symptoms. It depends on which joint of the foot it happened. If the dislocation has occurred in the internal support joint, the following symptoms can be observed: The foot looks dislocated, the sole and heel point inwards, the skin over the ankle is tight and the inside is dented. In addition, the foot swells and since it is impossible to reset the joint, professional help is required. A sprain should never be repaired on your own without professional help and anesthesia. During transport, the injured leg must be immobilized with a splint or other suitable means and cooled with ice. It is important not to put any weight on the leg, as this can lead to more serious consequences. An outward dislocation of this joint shows the following symptoms: The foot turns outwards, the inner ankle protrudes, the outer ankle is hollow, the skin is torn. The first step is to apply a bandage or splint, apply ice, and go to a trauma center as quickly as possible. A sprain in this area quickly leads to swelling. That is why you need the help of a specialist immediately. A direct blow to the foot itself can dislocate it or cause a severe bruise. A sprain and a bruise are difficult to distinguish at first glance, which is why the injured person has to be taken to a hospital.

Ligament injuries

The most common consequence of an ankle ligament injury is a bruised joint or ligament, which causes acute pain and swelling in the ankle area and limits movement. It happens that the injured person can step on the foot again almost immediately, but this can lead to more serious consequences.

The first step is to cool the leg with ice, elevate it and secure it with a tight bandage. An elastic bandage or a special joint fixator is used for immobilization.

In sports medicine one speaks of taping, in which a wide adhesive tape is used for stronger immobilization.

Inflatable splints, which are placed around the joint after a serious impact or when there is swelling, are also very popular. They inflate and completely eliminate the possibility of movement. Very often these splints are provided with wraps that contain a cooling substance. After a ligament tear, there is not only pain and swelling, but also a bruise. If it is small, it means that the ligament was injured at a point: in this case, a tight bandage is enough. If the bleeding is severe, a splint must be applied and professional help sought.

Sprain and fracture of the ankle

If you make movements that go far beyond the working range of the joint and the ligaments are not strong enough, the joint will sprain. The joint separates from the 'forks' that form the ends of the tibia bones.

In this case, the soft tissues, nerves and vessels are damaged and open wounds can develop.

An open dislocation causes fairly severe damage with soft tissue injuries. During treatment, a sterile bandage should first be applied. If there are no traces of soft tissue injuries, it is enough to fix the limb in one position.

The ankle and its anomalies

The part of the fibula that articulates with the ankle joint is called the ankle joint. This part acts as a stabilizer and is located on the side of the leg, slightly above the foot and protrudes outwards. The other, more common name for the ankle joint is ankle joint. The lateral ankle is formed by part of the tibia and the middle ankle is formed by the fibula.

Anatomically speaking, there are two ankles in humans: the medial malleolus and the medial malleolus. The medial malleolus is formed by part of the fibula. The orientation of the ankle is inward and is called the medial malleolus. The lateral malleolus is on the opposite side. It is formed by the protruding end of the tibia bone.

The medial malleolus, medial malleolus and talus together form one of the most important joints – the ankle joint. It is characterized by high mobility but also increased strength. The joint of the lower limbs performs the following functions:

  • supports the weight of the body and distributes it correctly on the foot;
  • supports the foot;
  • allows for an upright posture and active movements such as jumping, running and walking;
  • Components of the ankle joint allow the user to rotate the body about an axis with the foot resting on a surface;
  • Ankle and ankle components dampen movement.

Both the lateral and medial malleolus can be easily palpated, and in asthenic individuals they appear visually like nodules on either side of the ankle.

The surface of the joint is densely covered with hyaline cartilage, which allows smooth movements within the joint. The joint cavity is filled with intra-articular fluid. The structure of the ankle joint allows it to perform a cushioning function and protect the cartilage tissue from wear and tear caused by mechanical friction.

Diseases

Like any other joint, the human ankle is susceptible to injuries and joint diseases. Common conditions include arthritis, osteoarthritis, sprains, fractures and other injuries.

arthrosis

Arthritis involving the ankle joint is an inflammatory process triggered by certain diseases. Bechterew's disease, osteoporosis, rheumatoid arthritis and gout can lead to arthritis. The inflammation arises from an infection of the ankle joint via the hematogenous or lymphatic route.

Arthritis can be acute or chronic. The acute stage is characterized by swelling and redness of the ankle joint. The ankle is also swollen, its shape is blurred, and even in people with clearly visible bones in the joint, the ankle is barely visible due to the swelling. The ankle and foot feel hot.

If arthritis is accompanied by active secretion of purulent contents, it accumulates in the joint cavity and the patient's condition worsens significantly - the redness around the ankle is worse, it hurts to touch, and the patient's body temperature rises to high values. It is painful to move the leg and severe pain occurs when trying to twist the ankle.

The acute symptoms subside as the arthritis progresses to the chronic stage. The redness decreases, the swelling can decrease significantly and a feeling of well-being appears. Patients only experience pain and twisting in their legs at night. However, the inflammatory process is still present and threatens to flare up.

High heels.

Rheumatoid arthritis is a form of osteoarthritis. It is a chronic disease that affects symmetrical joints, so the ankles of the right and left legs are involved in the pathological process. Doctors believe that rheumatoid arthritis is caused by a genetic predisposition and the influence of negative external factors on the body.

Functions of the ankle

Where is the human ankle located?

  1. It supports the weight of the human body;
  2. Even distribution of the total weight of the body on the foot;
  3. upright posture function;
  4. Active feature that allows them to jump, run, etc.
  5. Rotation function. Allows a person to rotate around its own axis, while the legs remain in the same position during the rotation, that is, do not move;
  6. Damping function. Allows a person to absorb the force of impact while walking or running.

Where is the ankle located in humans?

Since the ankle is a highly stressed area of the human anatomy, all types of ankle injuries are very common, especially if you are an active person who plays sports or moves around a lot. Let's take a look at the types of ankle injuries.

Types of ankle injuries and diseases

Where is the ankle located in humans photo.

  1. Arthritis. Characterized by an inflammatory process that causes swelling, redness, sometimes even bruising and fluid retention. Depending on the type of disease, both the ankle and the lower leg may swell.
  2. osteoarthritis. Osteoarthritis usually occurs as a result of trauma, but can also be caused by excess weight, high stress on the ankle joint, genetic predisposition and many other causes.
  3. Contortion. It is accompanied by acute pain at the time of injury, ligament injuries, swelling, hematomas and abrasions.
  4. Bruise. One of the most common injuries that occurs when moving or colliding with an object (impact). It is accompanied by a painful sensation, does not feel comfortable when you put full weight on the leg, and can cause abrasions on the skin and swelling.
  5. Fracture. When a fracture occurs, extremely severe pain occurs, a crunch is sometimes heard, it is impossible to step on the broken leg, and treatment of such a fracture is time-consuming because there is a high probability of remaining disabled due to the impact goes straight through the bone.

Now you know where the ankle joint is in humans!

Ankle or ankle joint

Look at your foot and lower your gaze to the bottom of your foot.

The place where the leg meets the foot is called the ankle joint.

The word 'ankle' itself never appears in anatomical reference books because it is the popular name for the ankle. However, the 'ankle' is never referred to by this word on a diagram of the foot structure. In the figures it is given two names:

Where is the ankle?

Injuries to the ankle

The ankle joint is considered one of the most frequently injured orthopedic organs.

Orthopedic organs are those responsible for human movement in space.

fracture of the ankle

Where is the ankle?

The most dangerous injury which, if not treated properly, can lead to disability. The most common fracture is the lateral malleolus.

  1. A – Fracture of the wide part of the ankle with simultaneous tearing of the internal ligaments.
  2. B – Fracture of the broad part of the ankle parallel to the tibia with damage to the medial ligaments.
  3. C - Fracture of a narrow part of the ankle joint with tearing of the outer and inner ligaments.

A broken ankle is treated by placing a cast on the leg. In severe cases, the individual bones are fixed with metal spokes or plates.

Ankle sprain

This injury is less serious than a fracture, but is also very painful. The ligaments in the ankle joint are severely overstretched. Sometimes the ligaments may even be torn and require stitches. In all cases, a special splint is placed around the injured leg and the patient is given absolute rest.

ankle sprain

Where is the ankle?

This is the mildest form of ankle sprain and can be treated with a tight bandage and gentler range of motion.

This video explains how weather affects ankle injuries. And you already know where the ankle is.

Age differences

The lower limbs undergo changes during physical and physiological development.

The beginning of life

The formation of the fetal skeleton begins at 14-16 weeks of intrauterine development. At this point, the fetal ankles already have all the important structural elements, with the exception of the tubercles - these are formed by the baby when it begins to walk. The newborn's bones have layers of cartilage (growth zones) that allow the body to stretch.

Older age

By the age of 20, the development of the musculoskeletal system is stunted, and the ankles become thicker, with bumps and irregularities on the inside due to the constant tension on the ligaments during movement.

The mobility of the ankles decreases and the risk of an accidental sprain or fracture increases.

Elderly people

As we age, more calcium is withdrawn from the body. The bones of older people become brittle and their density and strength decrease. The risk of injury is high during this time and often the ankle breaks off completely and damages the shinbone.

To prevent ankle fractures, it is important not to put too much strain on your lower limbs, to take regular walks and to give your legs enough rest.

Where is the ankle, its anatomical features

Individual characteristics

Cheekbones vary from person to person. Depending on the anatomy of the skeleton, they can be high or low (pointed or widened).

If the ankle joint is injured, the affected person feels severe pain, the soft tissues swell, there is a local increase in temperature and restriction of movement.

There are different degrees of ankle ligament injuries:

  • mild – is characterized by slight stretching and slight swelling;
  • moderate – partial detachment occurs, accompanied by moderate pain;
  • severe – involves severe trauma and complete separation, throwing the bone to the side. At the time of injury, a cracking sound is heard, which is caused by the formation of bone fragments.

First aid to the patient consists of:

The person experiences severe pain after hitting the ankle. A pain reliever (Ibuprofen, Aspirin) or a topical medication (Indovasin, Voltaren) can help relieve the pain syndrome.

If the injured person's condition does not improve within 24 hours, a trauma surgeon should be consulted. He will determine whether there is a fracture or not and recommend further treatment.

prophylaxis

The ankle joint is a functionally important part of the lower limbs. Therefore, it is worth taking measures to prevent injuries and pain so that the ankle joint remains functional for a long time:

  • Wear comfortable shoes with a small platform or heel (preferably no more than 3-5 cm high);
  • Treat bruises, sprains and injuries until they heal and do not cause inflammation;
  • seek medical attention at the first signs of illness or mild pain;
  • foot baths and massages to relieve fatigue;
  • Keep feet cool and avoid drafts.

Conclusion

The ankle is a sensitive part of the foot. It has a specific function that is unique to it. This structure of the lower limbs requires special attention throughout their life.

One of the most important requirements for a healthy ankle is a comfortable shoe size. Women should not wear high heels frequently as it hinders blood circulation. To prevent swelling and damage, it is important to give your feet rest by massaging and bathing. It is advisable to pay attention to diet, take vitamins and exercise to strengthen bones and joints.

If pain is acute, it is important to bandage the ankle and then apply ice to the painful area. Depending on the type of injury and your condition, you should call an ambulance or see a doctor yourself. Comprehensive treatment of diseases and injuries of the ankle includes the use of medications and folk remedies, protected by massage and appropriate prophylaxis.

Where is the ankle?

ankle

Why can humans walk, climb Elbrus and endure long loads? Nature has endowed humans with an amazing physique. Interestingly, the ankle joint has a unique structure. Due to the presence of hip and knee joints, movement is natural for humans. People run and jump without thinking. However, sometimes injuries occur due to excessive movement, overexertion or other important criteria that affect the resources of the ankle joint. In addition, inflammation and abnormalities of the ankle joint are not uncommon. What diseases is this part of the body susceptible to and how can serious injuries be avoided? First of all, it makes sense to understand the anatomical facts.

According to research findings, the shinbone is a movable joint of the epiphyses, i.e. the stepped parts of the shinbone. The tibia is also articulated with the metatarsals. The ankle joint is often referred to as the transverse joint of the foot. It is a block-shaped joint. In this case, the lower part of the talus, together with other bones, forms the subtalar joint, together with other parts of the bones in this area. Some people make the mistake of equating the ankle with the ankle. In fact, the ankle (or ankle joint) is part of the ankle joint. The outer part of the joint is represented by the outer ankle. The inner part is called the medial malleolus. It is not surprising that the ankles of the same limb are located at different levels: the inner part is higher than the outer part.

Typical injuries

  1. Bruises and sprains of ligaments and tendons.
  2. Sometimes patients with a subluxation/dislocation are admitted to trauma centers.
  3. Cracks and fractures occur within the joint. Fractures come in all shapes and sizes.
  4. Frostbite and burns may occur.

In addition, medical professionals are faced with the following types of pathologies.

  • The ankle joint is affected by osteoarthritis caused by inflammatory, traumatic, infectious and metabolic diseases. In the latter two cases, the lesion can cause dysfunction in other organs.
  • It is not uncommon for doctors to note osteoarthritis in their patients' medical records. This insidious disease refers to a dystrophic breakdown of the joint tissue that is required to protect the joint surface.
  • Unfortunately, bursitis is a common occurrence.
  • Partial and total ankylosis occur. Doctors use this term to mean immobility caused by the fusion of bony and fibrous surfaces.
  • Mini cell bodies, lipomas, hirgromas and fibromas form. In addition, tumors or benign growths can also form in this area.
  • Doctors note the appearance of a tarsal canal, that is, a neuropathic disease of the tibial nerve.

According to research results, fibroids are quite common in medical practice. The origin and development of this tumor on the inner bone cannot be ruled out. The nodule fuses with the bone tissue and grows rapidly. The first and correct diagnostic tool is an x-ray.

Important: Treatment of this type of injury can only be carried out by professionals who are knowledgeable in this field and have studied the characteristics of this type of injury.

How do you recognize an injury?

  • The person begins to limp.
  • The gait changes, the torso leans forward.
  • The knee buckles during the movement.
  • Movement from toes to heel is no longer possible or any activity is restricted.
  • A pain syndrome develops.
  • The injured area is slightly swollen or swollen.
  • The skin even shows signs of injury in the form of bruising and redness.
  • The local fever in the deformed area is increased.
  • The edge of the ankle joint is not stable.

First aid for a fracture of the lateral malleolus

If the ankle is broken, the victim should be taken to a trauma clinic. The best thing to do is to call an ambulance. If this is not possible, organize a stretcher and transport the casualty to the nearest hospital.

Before the ambulance arrives, you should provide the patient with prehospital care:

  1. Remove all trauma factors from the leg unless it is possible to do so without damaging the limb.
  2. Elevate the injured leg. A roll of fabric can be prepared for this purpose.
  3. If there is bleeding, apply ice or something cool or, if possible, apply a pressure bandage, which should be loosened for 20 seconds every 20 minutes.
  4. If the integrity of the skin is compromised, never attempt to re-impress the broken bones.
  5. If the pain is severe, give the injured person a painkiller.
  6. If a special immobilization splint is not available and the patient has to be transported to the hospital alone, a splint can be applied using improvised means.

Gently bend the injured limb at the knee joint and place the foot so that the heel is at a right angle to the shin. Apply an improvised splint and secure it with a bandage, strap, tape, etc.

Treatment of an ankle fracture

An ankle fracture can be treated either conservatively or surgically.

Conservative treatment is used in the following cases:

  • Closed fracture without displacement;
  • Fracture with displacement, but closed reduction in one step is possible;
  • Minor damage to the ankle ligaments;
  • Surgery is not possible (risk of anesthesia in severe illnesses, patient refusal, certain cardiovascular and CNS diseases, decompensated diabetes).

Stages of conservative treatment of an ankle fracture:

Indications for surgical treatment:

  • Open fracture;
  • Failure of closed reduction (re-adjustment);
  • Long-term injuries;
  • injuries to both limbs;
  • Tear of the ligamentous system of the ankle joint;
  • Fracture of the ankle joint with simultaneous fracture of the tibia and fibula, tear of the ligaments and subluxation of the foot outwards.

What is the ankle bursa?

The human ankle

The bursa is the part of the ankle joint that lies below the shinbone. It is located on both sides of the Achilles tendon. It covers the entire area from the bottom of the calf muscles to the base of the foot.

Where it is located and how it differs from the hock

The hock joint includes the lower parts of the following bones:

Ankle is the popular term for the area of transition from the lower leg bones to the feet. In contrast to the hock, it denotes a further point, a stretch. The ankle joint is a bony structure in the distal part of the lower limbs, which is formed by the connection of bones and ligaments.

The word ankle does not appear in medical terminology, although it is used to refer to the area from the shinbone to the beginning of the foot.

Structure of the ankle joint

The ankle joint is formed by the connection of the tibia and fibula with the ankle bone. In the complex, this area is called the ankle joint. It performs movements in multiple directions.

On the outside is the joint capsule, which contains synovial fluid. It prevents abrasion of the tissue during movement. The straps are used for maximum strength.

structure of the foot

The inside of the ankle is covered by the deltoid ligament, which is divided into four parts attached to the scaphoid, heel and talus.

What it is for, how it works

The form has the following main functions:

  • connection between the foot and the lower leg;
  • stabilization of the foot when walking, running and standing upright;
  • Rotational and flexion movements of the ankle.

The function of the ankle joint is maintained by the muscles in the ankle area. The person stretches and flexes the ankle area and performs rotational movements. When standing, the ligaments are used to fix a stable position.

What is the ankle?

The ankle joint is the medical term for the joint between the fibula and shinbone of the foot.

Where it is located and how it differs from the ankle joint.

Depending on its location, the ankle joint is divided into two sides:

  • medial (inside) – located closer to the center of the body (formed by the shinbone);
  • lateral (outside) – on the outside (formed by the fibula).
  • The ankle joint is defined only by the point located at the bottom of the ankle joint. The ankle joint is a popular term that refers to the transition of the foot into the instep.

Structure of the ankle joint

The structure consists of the articular surfaces of the following bones:

On the upper side, the structure is covered by a ligamentous apparatus that fixes the articular surface. The connection point between the shinbone and the ankle bone is the ankle joint. This structure ensures that the ankle remains stable and is not damaged by sudden movements.

What it does and how it works

The muscle fibers that surround the articular surfaces and the ligaments bring the joint into a working condition.

  • stability of the foot when standing;
  • Flexion and extension of the foot in relation to the lower extremity;
  • Support for the entire upper musculoskeletal system.

The working condition is not only maintained by the structural components of the ankle joint. An additional function is performed by the Achilles tendon, the upper extensor muscle of the hallux, the long extensor muscle of the big toe and other structural elements.

What problems and illnesses are there?

Pathologies are caused by trauma, degenerative-dystrophic processes, inflammation, rheumatological anomalies, metabolic disorders and tumors. The cause must be identified early enough to ensure high-quality treatment.

Collagen disease

Diffuse connective tissue damage in scleroderma, systemic lupus erythematosus and other autoimmune diseases.

rehabilitation

There are two types of treatment for ankle disorders: conservative treatment and surgical treatment. The most common type of treatment is conservative treatment.

The treatment consists of three phases:

Acute (protective) phase.
During this phase there is inflammation, swelling and pain. The therapeutic measures are: control of swelling, inflammation and pain, physiotherapy devices, immobilization (cast, orthosis), passive movements and massage (taking into account the limitations of this type of injury), static muscle tension.

recovery phase of the movement.
Inflammation and pain decrease. Rehabilitation includes: edema control, hardware physiotherapy, functional orthoses, range of motion development, transverse massage, muscle training, balance and coordination training, activation of local foot muscles, strengthening and increasing endurance of major muscles.

functional phase.
No inflammation, pain only occurs at the end of the range of motion. To complement the treatment: control of swelling after hyperextension, muscle stretching, functional orthoses for hyperextension, LFC exercises, drills.

Types of ankle orthoses

An ankle brace is an essential part of rehabilitation therapy.
Special products - orthoses - are used to support the injured joint in the correct position.

A distinction is made between light, medium and high orthoses. Lightweight orthoses are used for minor injuries, when returning to sport after surgery and for prophylactic purposes. Orthoses with a high degree of fixation are used for combined and severe injuries or after complex operations, including Achilles tendon sutures. Orthoses with a medium degree of fixation are versatile and suitable for most situations where protection of the joint capsule and ligamentous structures is required.

The orthoses are divided according to the degree of fixation:

Easy fixation
Bandages made of special elastic fabric without ribs or inserts. These orthoses are used for bruises, sprains and sprains and are also used in sports to relieve pressure on the joint. The elastic bandage is inconspicuous under clothing, does not require changing footwear and can be worn day and night, even by children.

Medium elastic bandage
Products made of elastic material with reinforcing ribs. Designed for people with chronic ankle instability, moderate injuries and post-surgery rehabilitation.
In addition to medium stabilization, these orthoses have a massaging and compressive (warming) effect to support joint regeneration.

Semi-rigid fixation
A flexible and strong product with stiffening ribs and additional fixation inserts. The fixation is adjustable according to individual parameters and can be changed during the rehabilitation phase. Shoelaces or Velcro fasteners are used for this purpose. Semi-rigid ankle orthoses are used for injuries, pronounced ankle instability, flaccid foot paralysis and other pathologies.

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