Part of what makes broken bones so difficult to prevent is that you can’t really stop something you don’t see coming. Nearly all fractures are sudden accidents: you trip and twist your ankle, you get into a car wreck, you fall off a ladder, and so on. These accidents happen with little or no warning, quickly pushing your bones past the breaking point, so they aren’t always preventable. That doesn’t necessarily mean there’s nothing you can do to protect your ankles, of course. There are steps you can take to make a broken ankle less likely when accidents do happen.
Strong bones and supported feet and ankles are much less likely to break. They are able to handle more stress and pressure from your activities and various accidents that may happen. Just as importantly, taking safety precautions decreases your risk for accidents and makes fractures less likely. Here are a few ways you can protect your ankles and help prevent fractures:
- Build up bone strength – Calcium, vitamin D, and exercise are all crucial for building bone tissue and making it stronger, denser, and less likely to fracture easily.
- Strengthen your muscles – Strong muscles and connective tissues stabilize your ankles and decrease your risk for twists that could break a bone.
- Wear the right shoes – The right shoes can make a big difference for stabilizing your feet and ankles, particularly in sports, hiking, and generally being active.
- Reduce tripping and slipping risks – This is especially important the older you get. Avoid having cords, objects, or loose rugs lying around that could cause tripping accidents.
A broken ankle is a painful and serious injury. It limits your mobility and can risk complications that lead to chronic pain and other problems. If you can prevent a fracture, you can save yourself a lot of trouble, so don’t take your ankle health for granted.
Of course, accidents do still happen. Absolute Foot Care Specialists are here to help you take care of your ankles when they do, getting you back on your feet and back to your busy life as quickly as possible. If you’re concerned about your ankles, let us help you take care of them. Make an appointment at our Las Vegas offices through our website forms, or by calling (702) 839-2010.
