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By: Amelia Son, PTA
Why Does My Ankle Hurt All Of A Sudden?
While golf may look like a leisurely sport, it does have its fair share of injuries that can effect even the most athletic of players. While ankle injuries for golfers are not the most common in golf, they can occur. Most ankle injuries occur from overuse, poor swing mechanics, and falls from terrain on the course.
The quick answer for sudden ankle pain can be caused by arthritis, overuse, footwear changes, high-heeled shoes, and starting activities after time off. With golf in particular, the ankle can start to hurt with overuse, twisting with poor swing mechanics, and rolling ankle when walking on uneven terrain and entering sand traps. All of these injury mechanisms can lead to ankle instability which can increase pain and the possibility of future injury.
Golfer Ankle Injuries
How Can I Treat My Ankle Injury At Home?
The most common symptoms of ankle injuries are swelling, pain, instability, and bruising. Treating ankle injuries for golfers with these symptoms at home is quite easy.
The quick answer for treatment includes regular rest, ice, compression, and elevation. Sometimes taking an anti-inflammatory to help with pain and swelling is necessary. Later in the recovery period, often an ankle brace is needed to help protect the healing ligaments.
How Do I Know If I Sprained My Ankle?
With the above injury mechanisms mentioned, golfers may sprain their ankle, tear a ligament, or even break a bone. Sprains often occur when the ankle rolls, turns or twists in an awkward way. It is common when swinging too hard and rolling onto the outside of your front foot, or when stepping down into a steep sand trap. A lateral ankle sprain produces immediate pain on the outside of the ankle bone which is the most common sprain. The severity of the sprain is dependent upon several factors. If you cannot put any of your body weight on the injured ankle, you should seek further medical attention.
Bones and Ligaments of the Ankle
What Is the Most Common Symptom of Ankle Injuries for Golfers?
The quick answer is pain, instability, and swelling for ankle sprains. With a sprained ankle, there is always a change a ligament may be torn. The first signs of a ligament tear are severe bruising and swelling. Swelling can track all the way down into your toes and will often times not be able to put full weight on the ankle due to pain. A broken ankle can be similar in symptom to a torn ligament/sprain, but it is sometimes accompanied by numbness and tingling.
When Should You Go See a Doctor For an Ankle Injury?
It is important to see a doctor if you have experienced an ankle injury where there is severe pain, swelling, loss of the ability to put weight on it, a noticeable deformity, and numbness and/or tingling. A doctor will help you diagnose your injury and receive the proper treatment after tests which may include an X-Ray, MRI, CT scan, or bone scan. In some cases, surgery is necessary for extreme injuries, other times the doctor may fit you with a boot or cast to allow for healing at home. Physical therapy may be ordered to regain range of motion and strength in the ankle to allow for a return to the golf course. To schedule physical therapy at one of the 12 JOI Rehab Centers, please call 904-858-7045.
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