Ankle Injuries & Treatment in Lexington, KY

Evaluating and Treating an Ankle Injury Healthtalks Transcript:

Jeremy Kalma, MD, Orthopedic Surgery
Baptist Health Lexington

Jeremy Kalma, MD: Ankle injuries are among the most common reasons patients seek medical care after trauma such as a car accident or a fall. Although many of these injuries are sprains, I continue to see more and more ankle fractures with time. The ankle joint is formed by two bones of the leg and one bone in the foot. These bones are held together by the ligaments of the ankle to form what is called the ankle mortis. Ankle injuries typically occur due to a combination [of] bending and rotational forces placed across the ankle joint at the time of injury. The number of injured structures of the ankle mortis, as well as the extent of those injuries, determines whether or not the injury is stable or unstable. Most ankle sprains and many ankle fractures are stable injuries that can be treated successfully with nonoperative management. Unstable ankle fracture patterns, however, are often best treated with surgery.

Surgery frequently involves useful orthopedic hardware such as plates and screws. However, the technology is always changing and continues to improve with time. Flexible fixation devices to stabilize the ankle and fibular intramedullary nails are some of the newer implants available that can really offer added benefits for some patients. One of the reasons I became a foot and ankle surgeon is because I enjoy treating ankle injuries. I would say my goal when treating any patient with an ankle injury is to get them back to doing the things they enjoy. Getting people back to doing the things they enjoy is why I do what I do.