Prevention of Ankle Injuries

You’ve probably heard the old adage, “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure,” and if you’ve ever experienced an ankle injury, the wisdom of that adage is quite clear. Fortunately, there are several steps that you can take to prevent ankle injuries.

The key to preventing injury is to maintain good strength, muscle balance and flexibility. Here are a few tips that you may find valuable:

• Warm-up before doing exercises, playing sports, or participating in any vigorous activities
• Participate in a conditioning program to build muscle strength
• Develop a daily ritual of stretching exercises 
• Listen to your body: never run if you experience pain in the foot or ankle, or you feel fatigued
• Pay attention to walking, running or working surfaces
• Wear protective equipment appropriate for the sport or activity that you’re engaged in
• Replace your athletic shoes as soon as the tread or heel wears out
• Be sure that all of your shoes fit properly

These simple tips are easy to follow, and can help you keep your ankles safe and strong.