What a torn ankle ligament looks like

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Table of contents

Torn ligaments in the ankle joint
Classification of injuries.
Podiatrists and traumatologists
Treatment of torn ankles
Why a cavity forms under the toenail:
How to treat onycholysis?

Torn ligaments in the ankle joint

When you walk, jump or run, your ankle is under a lot of stress as it supports you and is in motion at the same time. It is the joint that is most often treated in traumatology. In 90 % cases it is a tear of the ankle ligaments, which are not known for their flexibility. They are never stretched, only torn. The degree of rupture of the fibers determines the treatment and possible consequences. In general, a sprain is a minor injury to the tendon system, while a tear is a complete or partial separation of the fibers from the bony base, causing damage to the nerves and the blood and lymphatic vessels that supply the ankle joint .

Classification of injuries.

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To facilitate diagnosis and choice of treatment, injuries are divided into specific groups. The most important criteria are the degree of tissue damage and clinical signs. Ligament tears are classified as follows:

1 degree. Slight tear of individual fibers or fiber bundles. The injured ankle is easily palpable through the skin and has little or no range of motion. It is able to support the foot for a short time without causing obvious pain;
2nd degree. A large number of connective tissue fibers are torn. When palpated, the affected person complains of pain, but the joint itself can hardly be felt due to the increasing swelling. The symptoms are much more pronounced. Any attempt to lean on the affected leg results in stabbing pain similar to that of a sprain or fracture;
grade 3 This injury involves the complete tearing of one or, in some cases, multiple ligaments from their bony attachment. The feelings after one a torn ligament in the ankle joint They are similar to the symptoms of a broken bone. Extensive swellings and hematomas quickly form. The function of the foot is so limited that it can no longer bear weight for several reasons. For one thing, the pain is severe. It is so strong that the injured person can lose consciousness. Secondly, the anatomical relationships of the joint components are severely disturbed.

A differential diagnosis is indicated regardless of the severity of symptoms. Their results provide the most meaningful assessment of the extent of the injury and the number of complications that occurred.

Podiatrists and traumatologists

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One of the main causes of bone fractures is a sedentary lifestyle. This causes the musculoskeletal system to deteriorate, age and die. The second reason is old age. This significantly increases the risk of injury because over time muscle tissue loses elasticity, bone tissue becomes thinner, and ligaments lose strength. Other causes of a crack or complete fracture of the ankle include high-risk sports, careless walking with a sprained ankle, jumping from a height, etc.

Depending on the number of torn fibers, a torn ligament in the foot can be classified into different degrees and shows the following symptoms:

With a mild degree of damage, only a few fibers in the ankle are torn, that is, there is a microtrauma, characterized by mild pain when walking and possibly slight redness of the skin around the joint.
The second degree of anomaly, a partial fiber tear, indicates a severe tear. In this case, the affected person may have significant mobility problems or be unable to walk at all.
In severe injuries, the ankle ligaments are completely torn, meaning the joint no longer functions properly and the affected person can no longer move their foot or walk. The joint swells on the outside of the ankle and foot. Blood spots and bruises appear in the lower leg area.

If these symptoms occur, you should consult a doctor.

Treatment of torn ankles

Modern treatment for torn ankle ligaments focuses on:

Restoring the integrity of the tapes.
Elimination of symptoms such as pain, swelling and bruising.
Normalization of movement in the ankle joint.
Improving the quality of gait.

Immobilization of the foot is necessary, especially in the case of severe ankle ligament injuries. The easiest, but not the most effective, way to immobilize the foot is to apply a compression bandage to the ankle joint. It is not difficult to carry out - after 1 securing roll around the ankles, another 8 rolls are wrapped around the foot. The wraps should fit tightly, but the bandage should not compress the skin so as not to impair local lymphatic and venous drainage.

In addition to a rigid bandage, a plaster cast, splint, or Kramer wire splint may be used to immobilize the body. These medical constructs are used when the doctor diagnoses a complete ligament tear combined with a fracture or sprain. If a ligament injury occurs in conjunction with a fracture of the metatarsophalangeal joint of the big toe, a splint is used to immobilize not only the ankle joint but also the knee joint.

Today, new functional devices – orthoses – are used to immobilize the ankle joint. The orthosis is made of fabric, can be plastic or metal. It adapts to the contours of the ankle joint as closely as possible and is attached to the ankle with straps or Velcro.

Immediately after the injury, if the ankle ligaments are torn, topical cold should be applied. Ice applied to the skin through a layer of gauze relieves pain and reduces swelling. Cold application should occur within the first 24 hours after the injury. Heat treatment should begin after 48 hours.

A simple method is dry heat from a sandbag heated in a pan. The treatment also involves applying semi-alcoholic compresses. Alcohol and water are mixed in a 1:1 ratio. The resulting solution is soaked in a bandage or piece of cloth and then applied to the painful area. Wax paper or cotton wool can be placed on the bandage. Vodka can also be used instead of alcohol. The compresses can only be used if the skin is not traumatized. The same applies to ointments. Anti-inflammatory ointments and gels normalize local blood circulation, eliminate swelling, pain and inflammation.

Why a cavity forms under the toenail:

trauma to the nail;
Chemical burns caused by the use of low-quality gel varnish or by contact with household chemicals or other aggressive substances;
Thinning of nails by removing artificial nail polish or filing the nail plate with a file or cutter through manicure;
Onychophagia, or a psychological disorder in which a person bites or picks at the nail plate and the skin surrounding it. This causes the nail to separate from the nail bed;
Try to push the hyponychium away or remove the dirt under the nails with something sharp;
Dermatological abnormalities.

If you notice the first signs of onycholysis, contact Podolab in St. Podiatrists will consult with you about the problem. You will quickly restore the attractive look of your nails.

How to treat onycholysis?

The sooner you see a podiatrist or dermatologist to determine the cause of your nail dehiscence, the better chance you have of successfully treating the problem.

During the recovery period, all traumatic treatments, nail extensions, decorative nail polishes and harsh chemical liquids are strictly prohibited.

If fungal spores have penetrated the cavity under the nail and the onycholysis is infectious, the dermatologist will prescribe treatment for onychomycosis.

If the nail plate on the ring finger occasionally peels off, it may be necessary to consult an endocrinologist for treatment and correction of hormone levels.

The specialists of the center professionally and painlessly treat the nail plate with onycholysis on the feet and hands using modern equipment.

They also recommend home care to prevent recurrence.