This book describes Ankle Disorders, Diagnosis and Treatment and Improvised Treatment
The ankle is the joint that attaches the bones in the lower leg to the foot bones.
It can be separated into two parts: the upper and lower ankle.
The upper ankle permits people to move the feet upwards, downwards, and a little to the side.
It is made up of three bones:
The tibia (shinbone): the main bone in the lower leg,
The fibula (calf bone): a second, thinner bone on the outer side of the lower leg, and
The talus (anklebone): the foot bone that connects to the shinbone and calf bone.
The lower ankle attaches the talus to the bones in the tarsus (the mid-foot and hind-foot) and the heel bone.
The lower ankle permits the foot to tilt to the side a bit and also turn inwards and outwards.
Turning the foot outwards is known as pronation, and turning it inwards is called supination.
It does not go as much as the upper ankle.
In healthy joints, the ends of bones are enclosed with a layer of cartilage.
If this cartilage is healthy, it is hard and very smooth but is also elastic.
It functions as a shock absorber and decreases friction.
Tendons, ligaments and the joint capsules keep the joint together and assist it to move.
Tendons join muscles to bones.
Ligaments attach bones to bones and help maintain the joint stable.
Ankle ligaments are tough, elastic bands of connective tissue that attach bones in the joint, holding them tightly together.
Since the ankle joint is made up of many bones, there are also a large number of ligaments to stabilize and strengthen it.
Three ligaments pass along the outside of the ankle, and one ligament (consisting of four bands of tissue) passes along the inside of the ankle.
The ankle joint has to bear a lot of weight and force.
When the person runs and jumps, for instance, the ankles have to carry forces equivalent to several times the body weight.
If the strain is too large, the ligaments might overstretch or tear (rupture).
One frequent damage happens when a foot lands in an awkward position and bends outwards.
This can damage the outer ankle ligaments.
Injuries to the ligament on the inner side of the ankle are less frequent.
Stretched and torn ankle ligaments are among the most frequent injuries.
Since the lower ankle is more stable than the upper ankle, ankle injuries such as strains, sprains and fractures nearly always only involve the upper ankle.
Sprained ankle:
There is injury to one of the ligaments in the ankle, normally from a mishap twist or turn of the foot.
Rehabilitation can stop pain and swelling from becoming a long-term disorder.
High ankle sprain:
The ligament binding the two bones of the lower leg (tibia and fibula), called the syndesmotic ligament, is injured.
A high ankle sprain produces pain and swelling similar to a true ankle sprain, but can take longer to recover.
Ankle Fracture is a break in any of the 3 bones in the ankle.
Most often, the bones of the lower leg (tibia or fibula) is fractured.
Ankle arthritis:
While it is not frequent, osteoarthritis, the most frequent form of arthritis, can involve the ankle.
Rheumatoid arthritis:
This is an autoimmune form of arthritis in which the body attacks joint tissue, producing inflammation, pain, and swelling.
Any joint may be involved by rheumatoid arthritis, such as the ankle.
Gout:
A form of arthritis in which crystals periodically form in joints, producing severe pain and swelling
The ankle may sometimes be involved by gout.
Psoriatic arthritis:
This form of arthritis, which produces swelling and pain, is linked with the skin disorder psoriasis.
TABLE OF CONTENT
Introduction
Chapter 1 Ankle and Disorders
Chapter 2 Ankle sp