In severe cases, surgery may be necessary to reposition the broken bone.Īlthough the methods used to treat ankle fractures vary, rehabilitation is always necessary after the initial treatment, to restore full movement and mobility to the ankle and help the patient return to all usual activities. In most cases, a cast or brace will be used while the ankle heals. Resting, applying ice and elevating the ankle, are all methods that can contribute to the healing of the fracture. Medication may be prescribed to control inflammation and treat pain. Treatment for an ankle fracture varies depending on the type and severity of the individual fracture. Diagnosis of an Ankle FractureĪn ankle fracture is diagnosed through a physical examination and diagnostic imaging tests that may include:Ī bone scan may also be performed to determine which parts of the bone have been damaged. Additional symptoms may include:īecause the ankle and foot may become very swollen, it may be difficult for some people with a broken ankle to put shoes on. Individuals with an ankle fracture may experience difficulty walking or putting weight on the affected ankle. Stable fractures can usually heal on their own within a few weeks, while more complicated ones may require surgery to reposition the broken bone. Treatment for a broken ankle depends on the type and severity of the individual fracture, but may include wearing a cast or brace, applying ice and taking anti-inflammatory medication. The more bones that are broken, the more complicated and severe the fracture is. An ankle fracture can include injury to one or more of the bones that make up the ankle joint. Common causes of an ankle fracture may include a sports injury, a motor vehicle accident or a fall. This uneven surface typically leads to increased and uneven pressure on the joint surface, which leads to cartilage damage and the development of arthritis.An ankle fracture, commonly known as a broken ankle, involves any type of break or crack in the tibia, fibula, or talus. If the broken piece of bone is larger than about 25% of your ankle, and is out of place more than a couple of millimeters, the cartilage surface will not heal properly and the surface of the joint will not be smooth. Cartilage is the smooth surface that lines a joint. The back of the tibia where the bone breaks is covered with cartilage. It is important for a posterior malleolus fracture to be diagnosed and treated properly because of the risk for developing arthritis. Some studies have shown that if the piece is bigger than 25% of the ankle joint, the ankle becomes unstable and should be treated with surgery. There can also be a fracture of the medial malleolus.ĭepending on how large the broken piece is, the back of the ankle may be unstable. This is because it shares ligament attachments with the posterior malleolus. In most cases of posterior malleolus fracture, the lateral malleolus (fibula) is also broken. For some ankle fractures, an MRI scan may be done to evaluate the ankle ligaments.Ī posterior malleolus fracture is a fracture of the back of the tibia at the level of the ankle joint. These tests provide high resolution images of both bones and soft tissues, like ligaments. It is especially useful when the fracture extends into the ankle joint. This type of scan can create a cross-section image of the ankle and is sometimes done to further evaluate the ankle injury. This x-ray is done to see if certain ankle fractures require surgery.Ĭomputed tomography (CT) scan. Depending on the type of ankle fracture, the doctor may put pressure on the ankle and take a special x-ray, called a stress test. X-rays may be taken of the leg, ankle, and foot to make sure nothing else is injured. They can also show how many pieces of broken bone there are. X-rays can show if the bone is broken and whether there is displacement (the gap between broken bones). X-rays are the most common and widely available diagnostic imaging technique. If your doctor suspects an ankle fracture, he or she will order additional tests to provide more information about your injury.
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