With the hectic pace of the holidays, serious injuries from ice-related falls inevitably occur. A Valencia foot and ankle surgeon says falls on icy surfaces are a major cause of ankle sprains and fractures, and it’s critical to seek prompt treatment to prevent further damage that can prolong recovery.
Leslie G. Levy, DPM, and Dana Lavian, DPM, FACFAS, say the ankle joint is vulnerable to serious injury from hard falls on ice. “Ice accelerates the fall and often causes more severe trauma because the foot can go in any direction after slipping,” they say. Levy and Lavian, DPM, are members of the American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons with offices in Valencia and Northridge. They add that in cases of less severe fractures and sprains, it’s possible to walk and mistakenly believe the injury doesn’t require medical treatment.
“Never assume the ability to walk means your ankle isn’t broken or badly sprained,” they say. “Putting weight on the injured joint can worsen the problem and lead to chronic instability, joint pain and arthritis later in life.” Some people may fracture and sprain an ankle at the same time, and a bad sprain can mask the fracture. “It’s best to have an injured ankle evaluated as soon as possible for proper diagnosis and treatment,” say Levy and Lavian. “If you can’t see a foot and ankle surgeon or visit the emergency room right away, follow the RICE technique – Rest, Ice, Compression and Elevation – until medical care is available.”
Most ankle fractures and some sprains are treated by immobilizing the joint in a cast or splint to foster union and healing.
However, surgery may be needed to repair fractures with significant malalignment to unite bone fragments and realign them properly. Levy and Lavian, DPM, said newly designed surgical plates and screws allow repair of these injuries with less surgical trauma. “With newer bone-fixation methods, there are smaller incisions to minimize tissue damage and bleeding and accelerate the healing process,” they say. Levy and Lavian, DPM, recommend scheduling an appointment with their office if you have injured your ankle in any way.
“If you fall on an icy spot and hurt your ankle, the best advice is to seek medical attention immediately,” they say. “This aids in early diagnosis and proper treatment of the ankle injury and reduces the risk of further damage.”
For more information, contact Dana Lavian, D.P.M. and Leslie G. Levy, D.P.M. office at 661-254-0795. Leslie G. Levy, D.P.M. and Dana Lavian, D.P.M. are board certified in foot and ankle surgery and earned their podiatric medical degree from Podiatric Medical School. They both have been practicing in Valencia for 20 years.