Joints are frequently injured during sports activities and at work. Imagine all of the joints in the human body. Pick one joint and th ink about the injuries associated with these activities (football, basketball, baseball, tennis, etc, or lifting, typing, and repetitive motions). Detail the signs and symptoms, treatment options, and prognosis for the joint injury you selected. Find one or more images that are relevant to include in your post. You must do research outside of the textbook. Be sure to cite your sources. Once a joint has been picked by two classmates, it is off-limits so pick a different one. You will be able to see your classmates\’ posts before you post yours, so check in before you choose your joint.
Original post word count: 300 words
Response word count: 150 words each
My Topic is : Ankle Joint
Discussion 3: Injuries to Joints
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Discussion 3: Injuries to Joints
Introduction
The ankle bone and the end of the two lower leg bones make up the ankle joint. The ligaments that connect the bones, stabilize and support them. Ankle sprains are the most frequent injuries in the lower body extremities (El-Sherif et al., 2020). Ankle sprains are common in cases of falls on uneven surfaces and during athletics and other forms of sporting activities. This paper discusses ankle sprains based on symptoms, treatment, and prognosis.
Detail The Signs and Symptoms
Symptoms associated with ankle sprain include pain, especially when one bears weight on the affected foot. Tenderness when touching the ankle, swelling, bruising, soreness, and trouble bearing weight (El-Sherif et al., 2020). However, ankle sprains can be categorized as grade 1 (mild), grade 2 (moderate), and grade 3 (severe) sprains. Grade 1 sprain includes symptoms such as slight stretching and microscopic tearing of the ligament fibers and mild tenderness and swelling around the ankle (Haddad & Fischer, 2021). Grade 2 sprain involves partial tearing of the ligament, moderate tenderness and swelling around the ankle, abnormal looseness of the ankle when moved in a certain way. Grade 3 ankle sprain includes complete tear of the ligament, significant tenderness, and swelling around the ankle, instability at the joint.
Treatment Options
Ankle sprains can be treated without surgery and may include phase 1, phase 2, and phase 3. Phase 1 includes resting, protecting the ankle, and reducing swelling. Phase 2 involves restoring range of motion, flexibility, and strength. Phase 3 includes maintenance, exercise, a d gradual return to activity (Haddad & Fischer, 2021). Home treatment options are applied in mild cases, immediately after the injury and include resting the ankle, use of ice to reduce swelling, compression dressings or bandages, and elevating the ankle above the level of the heart. Medications include nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen and naproxen to control pain and swelling (Haddad & Fischer, 2021). Other non-surgical treatment includes the use of crutches, immobilization, and physical therapy. Surgical treatment options include arthroscopy and reconstruction.
The prognosis for Ankle Sprain
The prognosis for isolated and adequately treated ankle sprains is good. The severity of the injury and objective assessment of ability to weight-bear show some degree of accuracy in predicting a return to pre-injury functions (Thompson et al., 2017). High levels of athletic competition, greater than 3 times training per week, is a prognostic factor for poor recovery. 36-85% of patients with acute ankle sprains recover at 2 weeks to 36 months, with most recovery occurring within the first 6 months. After 12 months, the risk of recurrent ankle sprain returns to pre-injury levels (Thompson et al., 2017). The prognosis is excellent with conservative treatment if recurrent ankle sprains are treated early and appropriate rehabilitation is initiated.
Conclusion
Ankle sprains may cause detrimental health effects to the patient. Some of the symptoms include ankle pain, tenderness when touching the ankle, swelling, bruising, soreness, and trouble bearing weight. Treatment options include home options, medications, and other non-surgical options. Surgical treatment options include arthroscopy and reconstruction. Prognosis is excellent when treated early and properly.
Reference
El-Sherif, A. M. H., Mohamed, M. A. A., El-Ameen, N. F. M., Samra, M. F. A., & Abdel-Naby, A. E. S. (2020). Ultrasonographic assessment of ankle ligament injuries in post-sprained ankle pain. MJMR, 31 (2), 68-74. https://www.minia.edu.eg/med/Files/13.%20ElKawther%20Ez%20El-din.pdf
Haddad, L., & Fischer, J. (2021). Sprained Ankle. https://orthoinfo.aaos.org/en/diseases–conditions/sprained-ankle/
Thompson, J. Y., Byrne, C., Williams, M. A., Keene, D. J., Schlussel, M. M., & Lamb, S. E. (2017). Prognostic factors for recovery following acute lateral ankle ligament sprain: a systematic review. BMC musculoskeletal disorders, 18(1), 1-14. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12891-017-1777-9