A broken ankle is also known as an ankle "fracture." This means that one or more of the bones that make up the ankle joint are separated into pieces. There may be ligaments damaged as well. Simply put, the more bones that are broken, the more unstable the ankle becomes.
A fractured ankle can range from a simple break in one bone, which may not stop you from walking, to several fractures, which forces your ankle out of place and may require that you not put weight on it for three months.
Broken ankles affect all ages. Ankle fractures occur in 184 per 100,000 persons per year. During the past 30 to 40 years, doctors have noted an increase in the number and severity of broken ankles, due in part to an active, older population of "baby boomers." In 2003, nearly 1.2 million people visited emergency rooms because of ankle problems.
Common complaints for a broken ankle include:
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." This X-ray is done to see if certain ankle fractures require surgery.
Sometimes, a computed tomography (CT, or CAT) scan is done to further evaluate ankle injuries.
For some ankle fractures, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) may be done to evaluate the ankle ligaments.
The lateral malleolus fracture is a fracture of the fibula.
There are different levels at which that the fibula can be fractured. The level of the fracture may direct the treatment.
A "stress" X-ray may be done to see if the ankle is stable. You will have to see your physician regularly to repeat your ankle X-rays to make sure the fragments of your fracture have not moved out of alignment during the healing process.
A fractured ankle can range from a simple break in one bone, which may not stop you from walking, to several fractures, which forces your ankle out of place and may require that you not put weight on it for three months.
- "Twisting" or rotating your ankle
- "Rolled" your ankle
- Tripping or falling
- Impact during a car accident
Broken ankles affect all ages. Ankle fractures occur in 184 per 100,000 persons per year. During the past 30 to 40 years, doctors have noted an increase in the number and severity of broken ankles, due in part to an active, older population of "baby boomers." In 2003, nearly 1.2 million people visited emergency rooms because of ankle problems.
- Three bones make up the ankle joint
- Tibia ("shin bone")
- Fibula (small bone on the outside of your ankle)
- Talus (a foot bone)
- The tibia and fibula have specific parts that make up the ankle:
- Medial malleolus: Inside part of the tibia
- Posterior malleolus: Back part of the tibia
- Lateral malleolus: End of the fibula
- Two joints are involved in ankle fractures:
- Ankle joint
- Syndesmosis: The joint between the tibia and fibula, which is held together by ligaments
- Multiple ligaments help make the ankle joint stable
Anatomy of the ankle
Common complaints for a broken ankle include:
- Immediate and severe pain
- Swelling
- Bruising
- Tender to touch
- Cannot put any weight on the injured foot
- Deformity ("out of place"), particularly if the ankle joint is dislocated as well
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." This X-ray is done to see if certain ankle fractures require surgery.
Sometimes, a computed tomography (CT, or CAT) scan is done to further evaluate ankle injuries.
For some ankle fractures, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) may be done to evaluate the ankle ligaments.
The lateral malleolus fracture is a fracture of the fibula.
There are different levels at which that the fibula can be fractured. The level of the fracture may direct the treatment.
Different levels of lateral malleolus fractures
Michelson JD: Ankle Fractures Resulting From Rotational Injuries J Am Acad Ortho Surg 2003;11:403-412.
Nonsurgical Treatment
If the fracture is not out of place or just barely out of place and the ankle is stable, you may not need surgery. Some physicians let patients put weight on their leg right away, while others have them wait for 6 weeks.
Several different methods are used for protecting the fracture, ranging from a high-top tennis shoe to a short leg cast. Treatment may also be based on where the bone is broken. A "stress" X-ray may be done to see if the ankle is stable. You will have to see your physician regularly to repeat your ankle X-rays to make sure the fragments of your fracture have not moved out of alignment during the healing process.
Surgical Treatment
If the fracture is out of place or your ankle is unstable, your fracture may be treated with surgery. To make your ankle stable, a plate and screws on the side of the bone or a screw or rod inside the bone may be used to re-align the bone fragments and keep them together as they heal.
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