Ankle Fracture Guide: Causes, Symptoms & Treatment
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Understanding Ankle Fractures and Broken Ankles
Ankle fractures or broken ankles, common injuries resulting from falls, sports activities, or accidents, involve a break or chip fracture in one or more bones within the ankle joint. This article aims to help you understand the causes, symptoms, treatment options, and prevention measures for this condition.
Defining Ankle Fractures and Ankle Bone Breaks
An ankle fracture or broken ankle is a break in one or more of the bones forming the ankle joint, often causing significant pain and mobility issues. These can include a simple ankle chip fracture or more complex trimalleolar fractures. The ankle comprises three bones: the tibia (shinbone), fibula (smaller lower leg bone), and talus (foot bone). Ankle fractures usually affect the tibia or fibula, specifically the malleoli – the bony protrusions at the end of these bones.
Common causes of an ankle bone break or a broken foot bone are:
- Twisting or rolling the ankle during physical activities
- Falls or accidents causing direct impacts to the ankle, leading to an ankle avulsion or trimalleolar ankle fracture.
- High-impact traumas like car accidents
Ankle Fracture
It’s important to differentiate ankle fractures from ankle sprains. While both involve the ankle, fractures indicate broken bones, whereas sprains involve ligament tears or stretches. Ankle fractures typically cause immediate pain, swelling, bruising, and difficulty bearing weight. If you suspect an ankle fracture, seek medical attention immediately. A healthcare professional will carry out a comprehensive examination, including imaging tests like X-rays, to determine the injury’s severity.
Identifying and Diagnosing Ankle Fractures and Broken Ankles
Recognizing ankle fracture symptoms can lead to prompt diagnosis and effective treatment. These symptoms usually include severe pain, swelling, bruising, and difficulty bearing weight on the affected ankle. The pain may be sharp, with tenderness upon touch, and in some cases, the ankle may appear misaligned or deformed due to an ankle bone fracture.
If you suspect an ankle bone broken, seek medical attention immediately. Healthcare professionals use physical examinations and imaging tests to accurately diagnose ankle fractures. During the examination, your doctor will look for signs of swelling, tenderness, and deformity. They may also assess your range of motion and check for instability.
X-rays are typically used to confirm ankle fractures, revealing the fracture’s location and severity. In some cases, additional imaging tests like CT scans or MRIs may be recommended for more detailed information, especially when X-rays are inconclusive or associated ligament or soft tissue injuries are suspected.
Consulting a qualified healthcare professional for an accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment is essential if you suspect an ankle fracture. Prompt diagnosis and proper management can lead to optimal healing and prevent long-term complications.
Ankle Fracture
It’s important to differentiate ankle fractures from ankle sprains. While both involve the ankle, fractures indicate broken bones, whereas sprains involve ligament tears or stretches. Ankle fractures typically cause immediate pain, swelling, bruising, and difficulty bearing weight. If you suspect an ankle fracture, seek medical attention immediately. A healthcare professional will carry out a comprehensive examination, including imaging tests like X-rays, to determine the injury’s severity.
Identifying and Diagnosing Ankle Fractures and Broken Ankles
Recognizing ankle fracture symptoms can lead to prompt diagnosis and effective treatment. These symptoms usually include severe pain, swelling, bruising, and difficulty bearing weight on the affected ankle. The pain may be sharp, with tenderness upon touch, and in some cases, the ankle may appear misaligned or deformed due to an ankle bone fracture.
If you suspect an ankle bone broken, seek medical attention immediately. Healthcare professionals use physical examinations and imaging tests to accurately diagnose ankle fractures. During the examination, your doctor will look for signs of swelling, tenderness, and deformity. They may also assess your range of motion and check for instability.
X-rays are typically used to confirm ankle fractures, revealing the fracture’s location and severity. In some cases, additional imaging tests like CT scans or MRIs may be recommended for more detailed information, especially when X-rays are inconclusive or associated ligament or soft tissue injuries are suspected.
Consulting a qualified healthcare professional for an accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment is essential if you suspect an ankle fracture. Prompt diagnosis and proper management can lead to optimal healing and prevent long-term complications.
Approaching Treatment: Nonsurgical and Surgical Options for Ankle Fractures
Ankle fractures, including trimalleolar ankle fractures, can be treated non-surgically or surgically, depending on the injury’s severity. Nonsurgical treatments, usually recommended for less severe fractures like an ankle chip fracture, focus on immobilizing the fractured bone to enable proper healing, often using a cast or brace. Rest, elevation, and ice can help manage pain and reduce swelling, while physical therapy exercises can restore strength and flexibility.
For more complex fractures, ankle fracture surgery may be necessary to ensure proper healing and bone alignment. Surgery is typically recommended for fractures involving significant displacement or instability, affecting the joint surface, or associated with ligament or tendon injuries.
There are various surgical procedures for ankle fractures, such as open reduction and internal fixation, which involves realigning and securing the bone fragments with screws, plates, or rods. External fixation uses pins or screws outside the skin to stabilize the fracture. For more complex cases, arthroscopic surgery may be performed to address additional joint-related injuries.
Ankle Fractures
Recovery and Rehabilitation from Ankle Fracture Surgery
Recovery from an ankle fracture, or specifically from ankle fracture surgery, requires patience and proper care, typically taking six to twelve weeks, although more severe fractures or complications may prolong the period. Once the ankle has sufficiently healed, rehabilitation exercises, under the guidance of a physical therapist, play a crucial role in restoring strength, flexibility, and range of motion.
Rehabilitation exercises for ankle fractures may include gentle stretching, range of motion exercises, and strength-building activities. Consistency in performing these exercises can optimize results. Precautions like avoiding weight-bearing on the injured ankle until it has fully healed are crucial to prevent re-injury. Crutches or a walking boot may be recommended, along with braces or splints to provide stability and protect the ankle during the healing process.
Adequate rest and sleep, a balanced diet, and staying hydrated can contribute to a faster recovery. With proper care, rehabilitation exercises, and precautions, you can optimize your recovery process, but always consult with a healthcare professional for personalized guidance.
Preventing Ankle Fractures and Broken Ankles
Proper prevention and care can significantly reduce the risk of ankle fractures, including trimalleolar fractures, and promote optimal healing. Here are some tips:
- Maintain strong and flexible muscles through regular exercises like calf raises and ankle circles.
- Wear appropriate footwear with adequate support and cushioning to minimize ankle impact and the risk of an ankle avulsion.
- Practice balance and stability exercises to prevent falls.
- Consider taking vitamin D to ensure healthy bones
If you suspect an ankle fracture, remember to immobilize the ankle, elevate and ice it, and seek immediate medical attention. At JOI Online, our experienced orthopedic specialists provide expert care for ankle fractures. Contact us today for an appointment.
Jacksonville Orthopaedic Institute
At JOI Online, our dedicated healthcare providers specialize in diagnosing and treating various foot conditions, including heel pain. Don’t delay in seeking help, contact us today to schedule an appointment and find the relief you deserve.
Related Links: Metatarsal Fractures, Hammer Toes, Understanding Heel Pain and this video on Achilles Tendon injuries.
By: Dr. Turner Vosseller, Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Surgeon
Dr. Vosseller is an Internationally Recognized Orthopaedic Surgeon who practices at the Jacksonville Orthopaedic Institute San Marco Clinic, and he is currently accepting new patients. JOI is Northeast Florida’s most respected orthopedic practice. To schedule an appointment, please call 904-JOI-2000 or click below to schedule online.