Rachel Gowey, 16, was practicing her beam dismount earlier this week when she fell and broke her right ankle. The aspiring young gymnast was preparing for this year’s U.S. Gymnastics Championships. Due to a prior unrelated ankle injury she had only been planning to do two events, but now she probably won’t be able to participate in any capacity.
Gowey is trained by Liang Chow at the same gymnasium that Olympic champions Gabby Douglas and Shawn Johnson practiced at. This year, she came in fifth place at the international Cup of Jesolo and fourth place at the U.S. Classic.
A broken ankle can keep you off your feet for several weeks. To get quality treatment for a broken ankle, visit podiatrist Dr. Carl Ginsberg, DPM of Pennsylvania. Dr. Ginsberg can assess the severity of your injury and get you the care you need.
Broken Ankles
The ankle consists of three bones- the tibia, the fibula, and the talus. The tibia and the fibula are the two bones that connect to your knees. They sit directly above the talus bone, which is protected by a fibrous membrane and allows slight movement in the ankle joint. A break usually occurs in one of these bones after the foot is twisted too far, a strong impact like jumping from a great height, or repeated stresses like running.
Diagnosis
If you suffer an ankle injury, it is essential that you receive a correct diagnosis. One of the first signs that the ankle is broken is an inability to put any weight on it. There will often be severe bruising and swelling at the sight of the injury. Your doctor may also order an x-ray be taken to determine the exact location and extent of the injury.
Treatment
Without proper care, a broken ankle may not heal properly and could cause arthritis and instability later in life. Therefore, seeking proper treatment is essential to making a full recovery.
There a number of steps you can take to accelerate the healing process however. Elevating your feet above your head and icing the ankle can reduce pain and swelling.
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If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our office in Jenkintown, PA. We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot ankle injuries.
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