Denton County Living Well Magazine January/February 2019

FOR MANY, WINTER IS FALL SEASON ICY CONDITIONS CAUSE FALLS AND BROKEN ANKLES Courtesy Complete Foot and Ankle Care of North Texas W ith the hectic pace of the holidays, serious inju- ries from ice-related falls inevitably occur. Po- diatric Foot and Ankle Surgeon, Dr. Damien Dauphinée says that falls on icy surfaces are a major cause of ankle sprains and fractures, and it’s critical to seek prompt treatment to prevent further damage that can prolong recovery. Dr. Dauphinée says the ankle joint is vulnerable to serious injury from hard falls on ice. “Ice accelerates the fall and often causes more severe trauma because the foot can go in any direction after slipping,” he says. • Bone protruding through the skin—a compound frac- ture, which requires immediate attention! Most ankle fractures and some sprains are treated by immo- bilizing the joint in a cast or splint to foster union and heal- ing. However, surgery may be needed to repair fractures with significant malalignment to unite bone fragments and realign them properly. Dr. Dauphinée is a member of the American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons (ACFAS) with offices in Denton and Decatur. He adds that in cases of less severe fractures and sprains, it’s possible to walk and mistakenly believe the in- jury doesn’t require medical treatment. “Never assume the ability to walk means your ankle isn’t broken or badly sprained,” he says. “Putting weight on the injured joint can wors- en the problem and lead to chronic instability, joint pain and arthritis later in life.” Some people may fracture and sprain an ankle at the same time, and a bad sprain can mask the fracture. “It’s best to have an injured ankle evaluated as soon as possible for proper diagnosis and treatment,” says Dr. Dauphinée. “If you can’t see a foot and ankle surgeon or visit the emergency room right away, follow the RICE technique – Rest, Ice, Compression and Elevation – until medical care is available.” According to the ACFAS consumer Web site, FootHealth- Facts.org, even though symptoms of ankle sprains and frac- tures are similar, fractures are associated with: • Pain at the site of the fracture that can extend from the foot to the knee • Significant swelling • Blisters over the fracture site • Bruising soon after the injury Dr. Dauphinée said newly designed surgical plates and screws allow repair of these injuries with less surgical trauma. “With newer bone-fixation methods, there are smaller in- cisions to minimize tissue damage and bleeding and ac- celerate the healing process,” he says. Dr. Dauphinée rec- ommends scheduling an appointment with his Complete Foot and Ankle Care of North Texas, PA office if you have injured your ankle in any way. “If you fall on an icy spot and hurt your ankle, the best advice is to seek medical attention immediately,” He says. “This aids in early diagnosis and proper treatment of the ankle injury and reduces the risk of further damage.” For further information about ankle fractures and sprains or other foot and ankle problems, contact Dr. Dauphinée and Complete Foot and Ankle Care at 940-300-3054 or go to their website www.completefootandanklecare.com. DENTON COUNTY Living Well Magazine | JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2019 17

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