Aspiring gymnast Rachel Gowey broke her right ankle after a fall while practicing her beam dismount. The sixteen-year-old was training for the upcoming U.S. Gymnastics Championships when she took the fall and received the broken ankle, joining another prior unrelated ankle injury. Gowey is only participating in two events at the championships as is; with her broken ankle, however, the athlete’s participation in the entire competition may now be in jeopardy.
Gowey trains at the gymnasium where Olympic champions Gabby Douglas and Shawn Johnson once trained, under the wing of Coach Liang Chow. Gowey had placed fifth at the international Cup of Jesolo and fourth at the U.S. Classic this year.
To ensure that a broken ankle completely heals, treatment should be sought right away. For assistance, see one of our podiatrists of Pennsylvania. Our doctors will attend to all of your foot and ankle needs.
Broken Ankles
The ankle consists of three bones- the tibia, the fibula, and the talus. The tibia and the fibula are the two bones that connect to your knees. They sit directly above the talus bone, which is protected by a fibrous membrane and allows slight movement in the ankle joint. A break usually occurs in one of these bones after the foot is twisted too far, a strong impact like jumping from a great height, or repeated stresses like running.
Diagnosis
If you suffer an ankle injury, it is essential that you receive a correct diagnosis. One of the first signs that the ankle is broken is an inability to put any weight on it. There will often be severe bruising and swelling at the sight of the injury. Your doctor may also order an x-ray be taken to determine the exact location and extent of the injury.
Treatment
Without proper care, a broken ankle may not heal properly and could cause arthritis and instability later in life. Therefore, seeking proper treatment is essential to making a full recovery.
There a number of steps you can take to accelerate the healing process however. Elevating your feet above your head and icing the ankle can reduce pain and swelling.
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If you have any questions, please contact one of our offices located in Plymouth Meeting and Ambler, PA. We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot ankle injuries.
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