The ankle is the body area that links the leg to the foot.
Ankle is a term that has its etymological root in the Latin word tubellum . This is the area of the body that links the leg to the foot.
The ankle is made up of the talus (bone that belongs to the foot), the tibia and the fibula . A series of tendons , muscles and ligaments sit on the bones , allowing them to move and giving strength to the joint.
Looking at the ankle, we can notice a bulge of the tibia on the inner side and a bulge of the fibula on the outer side. These protuberances give a particular appearance to this body part.
ankle injuries
There are several injuries that can affect the ankle. Ankle fracture involves breaking the lower region of the fibula or tibia. In some cases, both bones can even be broken at the same time. Caused by impacts, sprains or falls, ankle fractures are usually treated by immobilizing the area, although sometimes they require surgical intervention.
Ankle sprains , on the other hand, occur when a ligament is damaged by a violent movement or movement that exceeds the limit of elasticity. Ankles can also become dislocated (when the bones separate) or suffer tendinitis (from excessive activity).
The anklet can be an accessory that is worn on the ankle.
Arthroplasty
In the same way, it is necessary to know that there are many medical interventions that are undertaken to ensure that the ankle is in its best condition. This would be the case, for example, of what is called ankle arthroplasty , which is a surgery that is carried out with the aim of replacing the damaged areas of the three parts that give shape to the joint .
Specifically, what is done is to replace the affected areas with prostheses and for this an intervention is carried out under general anesthesia.
It is important to keep in mind that this operation is usually carried out as a result of osteoarthritis, a bone fracture or arthritis, which in turn can be rheumatoid or caused by previous surgery.
Ankles during pregnancy
In addition to all of the above, we can emphasize that it is common for pregnant women to suffer from swelling in their ankles . It is a very common symptom, caused by a more than notable fluid retention, and to deal with the disorder you can opt for a series of tricks or tips:
- As much as possible, rest and keep your legs up.
- Drink between 1.5 and 2 liters of water a day.
- Do not cross your legs when sitting.
- Do not wear stockings that excessively compress your legs.
- Exercise within what your state allows.
The anklets
An ankle brace , finally, is a garment that covers the ankle when it needs to be immobilized or is intended to provide special protection. There are also anklets that are used as ornamentation.
A footballer who suffered a sprained ankle, when resuming his activity, can use an ankle brace in the first games until full recovery is achieved.