Ankle Fractures

Causes

Reduce your risk.

• Twisting or rotating your ankle
• Rolling your ankle
• Tripping or falling
• Impact during an accident

Symptoms

Pinpoint your pain.

Because a severe ankle sprain can feel the same as a broken ankle, a foot and ankle specialist should evaluate every ankle injury. Common symptoms for a broken ankle include:

• Immediate & severe pain
• Swelling
• Bruising
• Tender to touch
• Inability to put weight on affected foot
• Deformity or feeling that the ankle is “out of place” particularly if the joint is dislocated

Diagnosis

Get the answers you need.

After discussing your symptoms and medical history, your doctor will do a careful examination of your foot and ankle. Then, he or she may order one or more tests, including:

• X-rays: Helps to determine if and where the bone is broken or displaced
• Stress test: Places pressure on the ankle to determine if the ankle fracture is unstable
• Computed tomography (CT) scan: Used to further evaluate an ankle injury, particularly when the fracture extends into the ankle joint
• Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan: Captures high-res images of both bones and soft tissues, like ligaments

Treatment

Life’s too short to put up with pain.

Whether the break involves a minor crack or multiple fractures, our surgeons deliver expert patient care to expedite rehabilitation. Treatment of broken ankles depends on which bone is broken and the severity of the injury, but typically includes:

• Reduction involves physically manipulating the bone to its original position. Once the bone is set, the ankle is immobilized with a cast or brace.
• Surgery may be required to stabilize the ankle. Pins, plates and screws will help with proper alignment of the bone, and may be removed after the ankle heals.
• Physical therapy helps to improve strength and flexibility after a period of immobilization.