Ankle injuries such as fractures or ligament sprains are common in sport but can also occur in everyday activities. At the Foot & Ankle Unit our consultants offer a range of treatments for many ankle injuries.
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Ankle Injuries
The ankle
The ankle is the point where the tibia and fibula of the leg meets the talus bone of the foot. It is held together by ligaments, tendons and cartilage. Ankle injuries are common in sport but can also occur in everyday activities with sudden turns on uneven surface, falls or traumatic accidents causing damage to bone, ligaments or tendons.
Ankle injuries
The most common ankle injuries are fractures to the bone or sprains to the ligament, muscle or tendon. The injuries are characterised by immediate pain, which varies depending on the severity of the incident, swelling and stiffness.
Treatment
Immediately after an ankle injury has been sustained the sufferer will need to rest, ice, compress and elevate the ankle. A specialist will then examine the damaged area to judge the extent of the injury. X-rays and scans will then provide the most accurate picture of the level of damage and dictate treatment pathways. Surgery is not normally required for sprains or strains unless particularly severe. Patients will be guided through stretching and strengthening programmes by the clinic’s consultants, who regularly treat high-performance international athletes.
Some fractures can be stabilised without surgery but often an operation is needed to insert a metal plate with screws to hold the bone in place. The joint will be protected by a cast for around six weeks but the rehabilitation process can be lengthy as the ligaments and tendons around the bone take longer to heal after a fracture. It is also important to have continuing physiotherapy to ensure the swiftest return to normal daily routines.
Contact us
To ask a question, make an enquiry or book an appointment, contact our specialist team on 0207 806 4044 or [email protected], the team are available between Monday – Friday 8am – 6pm and on Saturday from 9.00am to 3.00pm. Our foot and ankle team have a dedicated and caring approach and will seek to find you the earliest appointment possible with the correct specialist for your needs.
If you do not have a GP, then we have an in-house private GP practice that you can use. Alternatively we can suggest the most appropriate course of action for you to take, given your location and individual circumstance.
Foot & Ankle Clinic
This specialist team of highly experienced foot and ankle surgeons, podiatrists and physiotherapists diagnose and manage all foot and ankle related conditions and injuries.
Patient information
Our Hospital is renowned for providing exemplary levels of care across more than 90 services. From orthopaedics, to urology, our private GP practice and Urgent Care Clinic, our services are led by some of London’s leading Consultants. For more information, and to find a service suitable for your care, find out more about the services that we offer.
Make an enquiry
If you have any questions relating to treatment options or pricing information, get in touch with us by filling out one of our contact boxes or giving us a call on 0207 806 4044.
Our Appointments Team have a dedicated and caring approach to finding you the earliest appointment possible with the best specialist.
If you are self-paying you don’t need a referral from your GP for a consultation. You can simply refer yourself* and book an appointment.
If you have health insurance (e.g. Bupa, Axa Health, Aviva), you will need to contact your insurer to get authorisation before any treatment, and in most cases you will also require a referral letter from your GP.
If you are not registered with a GP, we have an in-house private GP practice you can use. Alternatively, we can suggest the most appropriate course of action for you to take, given your location and individual circumstances.
*Please note – for investigations such as X-rays and MRIs, a referral will be required. However, we may be able to arrange this for you through our on-site private GP.
