No one is safe from any kind of injury or damage. In most cases, ligaments of the joints, for example, the foot, suffer, because it is the lower limbs that account for the bulk of the load. Rupture of the ligaments of the foot is considered the most common injury that can occur at any time - with an unsuccessful jump, while running or walking on a slippery surface. What to do in such a situation and how to provide first aid.
How does the gap
Rupture of the ligaments of the foot (partial or complete violation of the integrity of the tendons) is the most common ankle joint injury that occurs in 15% of all cases and is almost always accompanied by subluxation. Since it is this section of the musculoskeletal system that bears the greatest load when walking, jumping and running, damage, as well as rupture of soft tissues and tendons of the ankle, is the most complex injury requiring long-term therapy and a sufficiently long rehabilitation.
Anatomically, the foot consists of 26 bones, 2 of which form the joint. The connection occurs with the help of ligaments with special strength. In addition, the soft tissues of the foot are much more elastic than all the other muscles of the human body, which is explained by their constant development during movement.
The ankle joint is formed of three types of ligaments: anterior and posterior talus - fibular and calcaneal fibular. Their main task is to fix the lower leg bone in a static position during physical exertion. These ligaments pass along the lateral part of the ankle, and on the inside there is a two-layer collateral ligament, due to which the foot does not move from side to side during movement. Rupture of the ligaments of the foot always occurs in the lateral part of the ankle. There are several types of such injury, differentiated by the degree of deformation of muscle fibers:
- The first degree is sprain. Diagnosed with damage to the smallest number of muscles and tendons.
- The second degree is determined while maintaining the ligament operability, but damage to a large number of muscle fibers.
- The third degree is the most difficult condition, characterized by a complete rupture of all ligaments, tendons and fibers.
Sometimes ankle injury leads to a complete separation of all muscle fibers from the attachment point of the ligaments, which leads to complete immobility. In the photo, the break of the ligaments of the foot is impossible to show, however, an x-ray can give a clear picture.
Symptomatic manifestations
Partial or complete rupture of the ligaments of the foot always have the same symptoms, and the degree of their manifestation depends on the type of injury. If a sprain and microtrauma occur, a person may feel minor pain during movement, sometimes redness in the joint area. The second degree of pathology is accompanied by stronger painful sensations and limits the movement of a person, since there is a fairly serious injury to muscle fibers.
In the third degree, the joint swells from the outside, hematomas and even bruising in the lower leg appear, and the local temperature rises. Severe pain indicates a complete rupture of the ankle ligaments, and the joint completely loses its performance. Symptoms of a rupture of the ligaments of the foot are somewhat similar to other injuries of the ankle, so such damage is often taken for a fracture.
Painful sensations in pathology are increasing in nature. When the limbs are motionless, they become less intense, and when moving, they become stronger.
Causes of the appearance of pathology
Most injuries happen in the home. Unsuccessful subluxation of the foot (when walking or descending the stairs, for example) can lead to rupture of not only tissues, but also tendons. Often a person does not feel damage (the pain is weak and passes quickly). This can be explained by the elasticity of the ankle tissue. But a sedentary lifestyle worsens the properties of ligaments and tendons, so any careless movement for people ends in trauma. The same problem is with the elderly, since over time there is a natural aging of the musculoskeletal system.
In addition, the risk group includes:
- Women who wear high-heeled shoes.
- Overweight people.
- Athletes (especially those with various lower limb injuries in the past).
- Patients with abnormalities of the musculoskeletal system (e.g. flat feet).
The rupture of the ligaments of the foot, like any other disease, is easier to prevent than to treat, so everyone should take precautions: carefully walk on uneven or slippery roads, wear only comfortable shoes, evenly distribute physical activity, monitor your weight and timely treat system diseases.
Pathology diagnostics
In some cases, such injuries are not accompanied by clear symptoms. A factor indicating a rupture of ligaments is only a feeling of instability and improper position of the joint. If even slight tear of muscle fibers occurs, diagnosis is necessary, since such injuries are quite insidious and require long-term treatment.
If the ligaments are broken, you should immediately consult a doctor for first aid to the victim. The effectiveness of therapy depends on a timely and correctly diagnosed. To diagnose such injuries, the doctor examines the affected limb of the patient, and also prescribes ultrasound, radiography (X-ray can be distinguished from ligament rupture from stretching) and MRI (reveals the exact volume of the affected tissue). These studies help to accurately diagnose, determine the size of the damage and eliminate associated injuries. The duration of treatment and the recovery period directly depend on the degree of injury.
First aid for tearing the ligaments of the foot
First aid to the victim is provided in the same way as with a severe injury. The injured limb is completely freed from shoes and socks (since the injury is accompanied by edema, the contraction of the affected surface will only intensify the pain). A cold compress is applied to the place of stretching, which must be kept until the doctors arrive.
The foot should be motionless. To prevent the spread of puffiness, it is advisable to place a damaged foot on a hill. For this purpose, you can use a pillow or a homemade roller.
Usually mild degrees of ankle damage pass on their own and without consequences, therefore, they do not require specialist intervention. You should immediately contact a traumatologist if there are such symptoms:
- Violation of the stability of the joint.
- Bone deformation.
- Severe attacks of pain when trying to step on the affected limb persist for several days.
- Swelling and bleeding.
- Numbness of the foot.
What should not be done in case of injury
In addition to first aid measures for tearing ligaments, you must also know about what it is strictly forbidden to do:
- In the first few days after the injury, heat and massage are contraindicated, so the blood supply is activated and swelling increases (warm water can even provoke the development of inflammation).
- Do not overcome the pain and continue to play sports, as this leads to additional damage to the joint and aggravation of the existing injury.
- Peace to an injured joint is necessary, but prolonged lack of movement is also contraindicated. Therefore, on the third or fourth day after the injury, it is necessary to begin to restore the activity of the ankle.
Principles of Therapy
How to treat rupture of the foot ligaments? There is a specific system that includes the following activities:
- Protection of the affected joint.
- Drug treatment.
- Therapeutic restorative gymnastics.
- Rehabilitation activities.
For severe pain accompanying rupture of ligaments, the patient is prescribed pain medication that must be taken orally, as well as special ointments and gels. Additionally, patients take anti-inflammatory and decongestants. In those cases when the conservative therapy performed does not bring the expected effect, as well as with an ankle injury of the third degree, there is a need for surgical intervention.
Surgical measures are aimed at stitching torn ligaments and muscle fibers. With blood accumulation in the joint, puncture is performed.
Alternative methods of treatment
Treatment of rupture of the foot ligaments with folk remedies is based on the use of compresses from grated raw potatoes, a mixture of onions and sugar, burdock or elderberry leaves. These funds are applied to the injured limb in the affected area.
For chronic injuries, treatment is based on warming up the diseased joint. To do this, use alcohol compresses or heated sand, placed in a canvas bag.
Ligament sprains
The consequences of rupture of the ligaments of the foot (if treatment was not performed) can be quite serious - from suppuration, blood poisoning to lameness. In addition to the fact that a person will limp for the rest of his life, all his movements will be accompanied by painful sensations in the damaged joint.
Recovery period
Patients are always interested in how much the ligament of the foot heals. The recovery period takes several weeks, and with severe damage - up to six months. Complete healing is impossible without additional physiotherapeutic procedures (UHF, magnetotherapy, paraffin treatment) and a course of exercise therapy. It is also necessary to gradually increase the load on the damaged ankle, starting with the toes. Within a week after receiving an injury, the joint must be actively developed, using all the ligaments and tendons.
Pathology Prevention
Prevention of such injuries is to comply with safety rules and the possible exclusion of damage. After rupture or sprain, do not endure pain or treat the leg yourself. It is advisable to consult a traumatologist, undergo the necessary course of treatment and rehabilitation.