Ankles Away
An ankle injury can really slow you down. And like many injuries, the site seems to act like a magnet to recurring injuries, especially if you lead an active lifestyle. Fortunately, pain and discomfort from injury or surgery to the ankle area can respond well to soft tissue treatment.
Talking about the ankle warrants a discussion of the foot as well, since the ankle exists to move the foot. But, you’ll have to tune in to the next newsletter for that story …
If asked to point to your ankle, you’d probably indicate the knobby bumps just above your feet. Anatomically, these are called malleoli (malleolus is singular) and they are simply the bottom part of the lower leg bones. These malleoli function like pulleys allowing muscles in the lower leg to move the foot.The ankle joint itself is the junction of three bones: the bottom of the fibula, the bottom of the tibia (shin bone) and the talus (a foot bone). The joint acts like a hinge – meaning it only moves up and down. The side to side motion you make is really a movement of the foot. Numerous ligaments bind the bones of the leg and foot together while allowing some movement.
By far the most common ankle injury is a sprain, in which a ligament is torn or overstretched. Other conditions in the neighborhood include shin splints and muscle cramps in the calves, both of which can respond well to massage treatment. A ruptured Achilles tendon is extremely painful and debilitating. After surgery and physical therapy, skilled massage can enhance the recovery.
Maintaining or regaining the function of your ankles allows you to safely propel yourself forward up Dog Mountain, take a jump shot, and pick up your (small) kids.
Originally published by Marsha Hansen, LMT in 2/06 newsletter.
Tags: Injury/Surgery Recovery, Pain Relief, Therapeutic Massage