Ankle Fracture

What is an ankle fracture, and how is it treated? This article will discuss what you need to know about this condition.

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If you’re looking for expert ankle fracture treatment, give us a call at OrthoNeuro. We have multiple locations throughout Columbus, Ohio.

What is an Ankle Fracture?

A fractured ankle (more commonly referred to as a broken ankle) is a fracture of one or more of the bones that make up the ankle joint. Fractures can occur in any or all of the bones of the ankle joint, including:

Tibia – the shinbone
Fibula – the smaller, non-weight-bearing bone of the lower leg
Talus – a small bone that sits between the heel bone and the tibia and fibula

These injuries can be the result of a slip and fall, an accident, or a direct blow to the ankle. In some instances, only one of the ankle bones is fractured, and in other cases, several of the bones may fracture at the same time.

Fracturing more than one of the bones in the ankle could lead the ankle to become more unstable and may increase pain and lack of mobility.

Types of Ankle Fractures

There are several different types of ankle fractures according to the location of the bone that is broken. These include the following:

Medial Malleolus Fracture

This is a fracture of the lowest section of the tibia. This fracture is more likely to occur alongside fractures in other parts of the ankle; however, it can happen in isolation too.

Lateral Malleolus Fracture

A fracture of the lower end of the fibula is called a lateral malleolus fracture.

Posterior Malleolus Fracture

A posterior malleolus fracture refers to a fracture at the back of the tibia. These types of fractures usually occur with another injury. It is common for the lateral malleolus to fracture at the same time because these two bones are connected by ligaments.

Bimalleolar Fracture and Bimalleolar Equivalent Fracture

A bimalleolar fracture refers to broken bones in both the tibia and fibula at the medial malleolus and lateral malleolus. As both sides of the ankle are injured, bimalleolar fractures can become unstable, and the ankle is often dislocated.

Trimalleolar Fracture

A trimalleolar ankle fracture involves the same bones as a bimalleolar fracture plus a fracture in the posterior malleolus. Usually, these types of fractures are also unstable, and dislocation is likely.

What Causes an Ankle Fracture

A fractured ankle can be caused by many different types of injuries. Possible causes of an ankle fracture include the following:

Trauma caused by a car accident
Twisting or rolling over your ankle
Falling awkwardly from a height

How Do I Know If I Fractured My Ankle?

Patients who sustain an ankle fracture may experience the following symptoms:

Pain on the other side of the ankle
Swelling
Bruising
Difficulty bearing weight
A visible deformity in the ankle

How an Ankle Fracture is Diagnosed

Your doctor may use the following methods to diagnose an ankle fracture:

Physical Examination: Your doctor will examine your ankle, lower leg, and foot for visible symptoms.
X-rays: Most ankle fractures can be diagnosed using X-rays. They will also show how many pieces of broken bone there are.
Computed tomography (CT) scan. CT scans allow your doctor to see a detailed cross-sectional X-ray image of your ankle injury. These diagnostic images can help your doctor understand the extent of the injury to the ankle joint.
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan. MRI scans allow doctors to see both bones and soft tissue structures, like your ankle ligaments. These can be used to confirm ligament injuries.

How is an Ankle Fracture Treated?

Depending on the severity of the fracture as well as how many bones have been fractured, treatments can be either non-surgical or surgical. Your specialist will determine what treatment options are best for you based on X-rays and the severity of symptoms.

Non-surgical treatment options at OrthoNeuro may include:

Rest
Bracing
Walking boot/cast
Physical therapy

In the instances where the fracture is severe or the ankle is unstable, your specialist may recommend a surgical procedure to fixate the fracture.

During the procedure:

The broken bones within the ankle are placed back into the correct position.
Small plates and screws are used to keep the bone fragments in place while the fracture(s) heal.

Patients who are experiencing the symptoms of an ankle fracture should not delay a diagnosis. The decision of what treatments are best for you will be determined by what you and your doctor feel are best.

Recovery Time for Ankle Fractures

The recovery time for ankle fractures will depend on the extent of your injury. You can expect your ankle fracture to heal in around 6 weeks. However, if you also injured a ligament or tendon, these may take longer to heal.

Make an Appointment with an OrthoNeuro Specialist Today!

If you have been suffering the symptoms of an ankle fracture, schedule an appointment with one of our board-certified foot and ankle specialists at one of our multiple locations throughout Greater Columbus. Most patients can be seen within 24 hours of making an appointment. Contact us today!

Medically reviewed by Scott A. Smith, MD

Sources

https://orthoinfo.aaos.org/en/diseases–conditions/ankle-fractures-broken-ankle/

Foot, Ankle, and Podiatry Specialists

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