Slip and Fall Incidents Resulting in Ankle Injuries

It can be difficult to move around when you have sustained an ankle or foot injury and can disrupt even basic aspects of your daily life. According to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS), more than 25,000 people sprain their ankle every day in the U.S. Most ankle injuries reported by emergency rooms are strains, sprains, and fractures resulting from slip and fall accidents.

The AAOS also reports that you should visit a medical professional if you experience the following symptoms:

• Bruises

• Pain near or at the ankle

• Swelling of the ankle

• Unable to bear weight on the injured ankle

You may be entitled to compensation if you believe your injury is the result of an incident at work or due to another party’s negligence. However, it is imperative to seek medical attention and to keep all records of medical evaluation and treatment to provide evidence for your personal injury claim. Here are the most common types of ankle injuries:

Ankle Fracture

In an ankle fracture, one or all of the bones in the ankle are broken: the tibia, fibula or the talus. A fracture can refer to a complete or partial breakage. The severity of a fracture ranges from an avulsion injury, which is less serious, to a shattering break which is a severe injury. Sometimes an ankle ligament is damaged because of a fracture and the ankle is unable to stay in position as a result.

Ankle Sprain

A sprain occurs when the ankle ligaments that hold together your bones and joints are torn, stretched, or damaged. Usually, this happens because of a roll, turn, or twist beyond the limit the ankle can reach. There are three degrees of sprains based on the damage sustained:

• Grade I: A mild sprain is a Grade I. This means that the ligaments have been stretched but not torn and it is usually a matter of soreness and swelling. Generally, it heals in about two to four weeks.

• Grade II: A Grade II sprain is a moderate injury where the ligament fibers are partially torn and the foot is bruised and swollen. Your ankle may even feel looser. About six to eight weeks are necessary for recovery.

• Grade III: Grade III is the most severe type of sprain: a complete tear of the ligament. There can be sharp or acute pain and generally, you will experience major bruising and swelling. This type of injury usually takes about three to six months to heal fully.

Ankle Strain

Damage sustained to the ankle’s tendons and muscles is called a strain. This injury is less common compared to the different types of sprains.

You may be entitled to compensation for damages suffered from your employer or by a negligent individual. If you have injured your ankle after a slip and fall accident, you should consult a personal injury lawyer, like a personal injury lawyer  trusts, immediately. You will be able to examine your legal rights and they will help you determine if your injury was suffered due to another’s negligence, thereby giving you reason for a claim.