Ankle Pain Care in Chippewa Falls
A rolled ankle on a missed step or a slip on an icy driveway can leave you thinking twice about every step. Suddenly, walking, working, and keeping up with your family feel harder than they should. Chippewa Falls Chiropractor Dr. Jason Denn evaluates both recent and ongoing ankle concerns to determine what may be affecting how you move.
Why a Sprain Can Take Longer to Heal Than a Break
Your ankle is a highly mobile area made up of several joints held in place by ligaments. When the foot rolls, those ligaments can stretch or tear, and the talus bone near where you tie your shoelaces can shift from its usual position.
Because ligaments have a more limited blood supply than bone, a significant sprain may take longer to heal. Depending on the injury, a bad sprain can take 8 to 16 weeks, while a simple fracture may heal in roughly 4 to 6 weeks.
From Missed Steps to Weekend Workouts
Ankle pain can start in all sorts of everyday situations, including:
- Rolling the ankle on a curb, stair, or uneven ground
- Slipping while shoveling snow or gardening
- Sports-related injuries
- Hiking, jogging, and high-intensity workouts
- Changes at the knee or hip that place added stress on the ankle
Pain Isn’t Always the First Sign
When Your Ankle Still Doesn’t Feel Right
If your ankle remains sore, swollen, or unstable after an injury, or you’re having trouble putting weight on it, an evaluation can help clarify what’s going on. The same applies to an ankle that repeatedly rolls or unexplained changes in your foot or walking pattern.
Looking Beyond the Ankle
Your visit starts with a conversation about what happened, followed by an examination. We’ll determine whether further evaluation or imaging may be needed and use hands-on palpation and range-of-motion testing to better understand the areas involved.
Because the ankle, knee, and hip work together, we’ll check those areas too. Depending on what we find, care may include adjusting the ankle and addressing other areas affecting how you move.
As the ankle becomes more stable, we may also use ice therapy, range-of-motion work, cross-friction techniques, or Graston soft tissue work. You may then progress to movements such as rising onto your toes and rocking back onto your heels, followed by strengthening exercises when you’re ready.
Getting You Moving More Comfortably
Get Back on Solid Ground
Still dealing with an ankle that doesn’t feel right? Denn Chiropractic can take a closer look and discuss whether chiropractic care may be an option for you. Contact us today to book an appointment with Dr. Denn.
