|  | Conditions Treatments | Bones, Joints Muscles

Dislocated Ankle Treatment

A dislocation of the ankle is an injury in which the bones are separated by force affecting an unnatural, painful position in the ankle. This injury results in temporary deformity and can be complicated by subsequent torn ligaments, bone fractures and soft tissue damage. Ankle dislocations are not life-threatening, but they pose a serious risk to the circulation of blood and fluids throughout the foot. They should, therefore, be evaluated and treated by a medical professional. However, you can take the following measures to minimize the damage before getting to the doctor.

  1. Reposition

    • Seat yourself in a comfortable chair and lean forward. Extend your injured leg and visually examine your ankle. Odds are good it is sitting awkwardly and may be taking on a dusky hue. Look for obvious signs of fracture, such as a bone fragment piercing the skin. If no open fracture is present, attempt to reposition your ankle. Begin by placing your hands above and below the injured ankle joint. Do your best to return the ankle to its original position by applying gentle pressure, gradually moving it in the proper direction. If you find the pain unbearable, or if you seem to be meeting significant resistance, move on to the next step.

    Splint

    • Apply a pillow splint to the injured ankle to cushion the injured area and to help prevent unnecessary jostling. Begin by placing a soft pillow beneath the ankle. Grab the edges of the pillow and gently pull them around the ankle. Then secure the pillow by wrapping it with duct tape. Place one strip of tape above the injury and one strip of tape below it. Take care not to wrap the tape too tight or you run the risk of further impeding circulation.

    Pain and Inflammation

    • Once the injured ankle has been evaluated and immobilized, the following steps can be taken to help reduce the pain and swelling of the injured ankle. Take an over-the-counter anti-inflammatory pain medication such as ibuprofen. Then elevate the injured ankle, making no effort to use it or exercise it. If you have fractured a bone in your foot, excessive movements can amplify the internal damage by causing bone fragments to shift. Rest your pillow splint on top of an ice pack for up to 15 minutes at a time as the cold can help to numb the pain and can also help to reduce inflammation at the injury site.

Bones, Joints Muscles - Related Articles