The Mid-Foot Sprain, Research Paper Example

I have incurred the mid foot injury from rushing to get out of the populated train. I limped on my way home and thought that it was a simple sprain. However, when I saw my foot that night, I realized it was more than just a simple foot sprain. I went to the doctor the next morning and I was diagnosed with mid foot sprain. A mid foot sprain is an injury that is characterized by the ligaments on the central region of the foot; usually caused by an immediate twisting of the foot due to abrupt movement of the body with the foot being left in a specific position that the mid part of the foot stays in place and becomes injured. The force of twisting the mid part of the foot makes the injury a little harder to contain with.

The human foot is a complex structure has 26 separate bones and at least 33 joints and several muscles, tendons and other blood vessels[1]. There are two arches in the foot one longitudinal and one transverse. The mid foot is specifically located between the transverse and the longitudinal arches. This is the reason why a mid foot sprain injury would look swollen within the x-ray shots[2]. It is very important that when one feels a specific sprain in the mid foot, the need to consider getting an x-ray is very important especially during the first development of the injury. Not doing so shall make it harder for recovery to happen. When the patient who is injured feels too much pain with the need to stand for an x-ray, a stress x-ray could be considered in place of a simple x-ray. The detection of more injury shall require for more tests such as MRI, ultrasound and/or CT scan.

To be able to treat a mid foot injury, there are instances when non-operative treatments can be considered. The need to immobilize the injured area is necessary. The immobilization usually involves weight-bearing in the injured area during a specific span of time. Along with the immobilization therapy comes the need to take in anti-inflammatory medications so as to assist in the healing of the swollen area. However, in more serious situations, there are instances when operation of the injured area should be considered. Given that the injured area is unstable, stabilizing it through medical operation is necessary. Usually, an unstable ligament will not be able to hold the bones together[3]. To avoid chronic pain, surgical repair is needed. The surgery shall involve small incision within the top of the foot where two bones are supposed to be held together. With the use of metal screws, the connection between these bones shall be helped. These screws are supposed to be kept there depending on the schedule that the doctor defines. There are instances when four to six months are expected to be waited upon so as to make sure that the injury has already recovered.

Mid foot sprain injury is a serious case that must be given proper attention to. It could be analyzed that the process of immediately diagnosing and treating the situation is an important aspect of recovering from the ailment. In line with the desire to recover, a person specifically injured in the mid foot area should see a radiologist immediately[4]. Notably, it is also essential that when diagnosis is already made, a physical therapist should be accounted for especially when it comes to imposing faster recovery. Relatively, the process of developing a better approach to recovery should involve the need to specifically understand the diagnosis and what part of the injured foot should be focused upon. This aspect of the recovery shall provide the therapist to make a good impact on how the patient shall recover fast from the injury.

References:

Michael C. Thompson and Matthew A. Mormino. Injury to the Tarsometatarsal Joint Complex. J. Am. Acad. Ortho. Surg., July/August 2003; 11: 260 – 267.

Myerson MS, Cerrato RA. Current management of tarsometatarsal injuries in the athlete. J Bone Joint Surg Am. 2008 Nov;90(11):2522-33.

Mullen JE, O’Malley MJ. Sprains–residual instability of subtalar, Lisfranc joints, and turf toe. Clin Sports Med. 2004 Jan;23(1):97-121.

[1] Myerson MS, Cerrato RA. Current management of tarsometatarsal injuries in the athlete. J Bone Joint Surg Am. 2008 Nov;90(11):2522-33.

[2] Myerson MS, Cerrato RA. Current management of tarsometatarsal injuries in the athlete. J Bone Joint Surg Am. 2008 Nov;90(11):2522-33.

[3] Michael C. Thompson and Matthew A. Mormino. Injury to the Tarsometatarsal Joint Complex. J. Am. Acad. Ortho. Surg., July/August 2003; 11: 260 – 267.

[4] Mullen JE, O’Malley MJ. Sprains–residual instability of subtalar, Lisfranc joints, and turf toe. Clin Sports Med. 2004 Jan;23(1):97-121.