Something as simple as walking on an uneven surface or tripping can lead to an ankle injury. Ankle injuries are defined by the kind of tissue that’s damaged - bone, ligament, or tendon. You can have a fracture, muscle or ligament strain or even a tendon tear. “They can happen in a number of ways,” said Dr. Adam Sangeorzan, physician at EvergreenHealth Orthopedic & Sports Care. “They can be low energy or high energy injuries.” Low energy injuries could come from something like stepping on a Lego and rolling your ankle. High energy injuries could include rolling your ankle while jogging or falling off a ladder. Though most strains and sprains can be treated at home, you should consult your doctor if you experience extreme difficulty walking or standing without pain or the inability to move your ankle. Ankle instability is when you feel your ankle is too loose and easily gives out. Usually this happens because you’ve had many ankle sprains, or a severe injury, and your ankle ligaments are not functioning properly anymore. “That kind of instability usually can be treated with rehab,” Dr. Sangeorzan said. “You can do physical therapy.” Exercises to strengthen your ankle include spelling the alphabet by moving your foot to allow for full range of motion and practicing standing on one foot on a half exercise ball. You can also take precautions to prevent injuries, like wearing the proper footwear. “You can do prevention things by just being aware of your environment,” Dr Sangeorzan said. “Looking where you’re putting your foot. Wearing the appropriate shoes for the appropriate environment.” When you are walking somewhere with uneven terrain, like when you are hiking, you should wear tight-fitting shoes that cover your ankles and include arch support. EvergreenHealth Foot & Ankle Care provides surgical and non-surgical options for a variety of conditions, both common and complex. To learn more, visit the EvergreenHealth website. Sponsored by EvergreenHealth Segment Producer Suzie Wiley. Watch New Day Northwest at 11 a.m. weekdays on KING 5 and streaming live on KING5.com. Contact New Day.