Eversion is a term which means “to turn inside out.” In the medical world, eversion can occur in a number of different contexts, all of which involve an organ or body part which moves out of place. Treatments for it vary, depending on the body part involved, and can include surgery and bracing. It is not uncommon for eversion to be painful for the patient, since it involves a change from normal anatomical position. The problem is also usually very noticeable, since it is rather hard to miss an everted body part.
In orthopedics, eversion is commonly used to refer to eversion of the ankle. In this situation, the ankle turns out, causing the sole of the foot to turn outwards as well. This can impede walking and cause discomfort for the patient. Some causes include congenital malformations, ankle sprains, and improperly healed breaks. In this case, surgery may be necessary to correct the defect, and the patient may need to wear a supportive brace during the healing process to ensure that the ankle heals straight.
This is an especially common problem with sprains of the ankle. Patients can also develop inversion, in which the ankle turns the other way and the sole of the foot faces inwards. Inversion is treated with similar techniques to straighten out and support the joint. Once a patient has experienced a displacement of the joint, it can put the patient at risk of future dislocations and other problems.
Eversion can also occur with the eyelids and lips. In this case, the part of the eyelid or lip which normally faces inward slowly turns until it faces outward. In addition to causing some social anxiety by attracting attention, this can be uncomfortable for the patient, and it may expose him or her to injury. Treatment usually involves surgery to correct the cause of the eversion and to anchor the lip or eyelid back in position with stitches to hold it in place while it heals.
Another serious form of eversion can occur during labor and delivery of a child. In this case, a condition called uterine prolapse occurs, in which the uterus is delivered with the baby. This exposes the mother to infections and significant complications. Treatment involves thoroughly cleaning the uterus before returning it to the proper place, and stitching it to provide support to keep it in place. Uterine prolapse is also seen in veterinary medical practice, especially among cattle and pigs.
