Ankle spurs are also commonly called plantar fasciitis. Ankle spurs are painless tears in the ligament tissue found at the bottom of the foot that has been inflamed over time by foot pressure and repetitive activity, such as running or walking. Ankle spurs may be caused by a heel spur or even a nail cuticle nick, and are not commonly associated with fractures because they are usually located on the outer side of the heel bone.
Ankle spurs are a common injury in sports such as basketball. With a heel spur, the heel bone pushes on the inner side of the tibia, which causes a spurs fracture. The common first-time ankle spurs are an anteroposterior ankle joint dislocation, a medial, lateral ligament tear, posterior tibial shaft spasm, a posterior heel sprain, posterior dislocation of the fifth metatarsal, or metatarsal fractures. The symptoms are pain, swelling, tenderness, stiffness, and deformity of the affected foot.
Ankle spurs may also be referred to as plantar fasciitis because the symptoms are similar to plantar fasciitis in the foot. Ankle spurs are usually caused by excessive weight-bearing or overuse of the muscles or ligaments around the ankle joint. In most cases, overuse of the muscles and ligaments cause swelling in the area of the affected joint.
To help relieve the symptoms of the ankle joint injury, ice the affected area, and rest the affected ankle several times a day. You can use ice wrapped in a towel or a chilled gel. Avoid walking and running if you have an acute sprain in your ankle joint as it can aggravate the sprain and cause the injury to worsen. Ice will help reduce the inflammation of the area around your ankle joint. Resting the injured area for a couple of days will relieve the pain, swelling will be relieved as well. You should apply the ice several times a day until the pain subsides.
Some people apply a heat pack to relieve the swelling and pain. This is very helpful, but if you apply heat, make sure you wear loose socks to prevent rubbing the heat into the painful area of the injury. It is important to take your time when applying this method and be sure to try to not apply too much heat as the heat can irritate the affected areas. You may need to use a heating pad to help treat the pain if the inflammation is severe. You may need to get a pain relief medicine such as Ibuprofen or aspirin to help relieve the pain.
When ice does not stop the pain, you may need to see a physician for more pain relief or the need for an ice pack or a splint. To relieve the pain, a traction device such as an Inversion Table is helpful to help reduce the pressure on the affected joint.
You can buy an inversion table at a medical store or even online. The Inversion Table helps alleviate the pain by providing the needed support for the injured ankle.
Most medical professionals advise people who injure their ankles to avoid walking or running while the affected joint is inflamed. In this way, you can reduce the amount of friction and heat that is being applied to the injured joint. When running or walking, always keep your foot flat on the floor or with the heel upraised.
In some cases, physical therapy is recommended for those who have an acute sprain in their ankles.
To get a complete diagnosis, you should get professional help as soon as possible. The longer you delay the treatment, the greater the risk of permanent damage and deformity of the joint.
