If the imaging shows that a person has a fractured ankle, he or she should consult an orthopedic surgeon as soon as possible. There are several different types of ankle breaks, and not all require surgery. But when they do, it is important that they receive the appropriate surgery by a skilled foot and ankle specialist. Early and correct intervention is the key to preserving the ankle joint over the long term. X-ray showing front view of a displaced fibula with medial clear space widening asymmetry of the joint space indicating a deltoid ligament disruption.
X-ray showing side view of a displaced fibula fracture with a posterior malleolar fracture. Treatment is based on the alignment of the bones and the stability of the ankle joint. The goal is to have the bones heal as closely to perfect as possible so as to prevent any residual instability or malalignment of the bone. A malalignment of as little as two millimeters in the ankle joint can lead to arthritis. It is much easier to fix a fracture than to treat arthritis in the future. Certain mild ankle breaks stable and with no displacement can be treated nonsurgically with a splint, short leg cast, or other protective device such as a walking boot Some patients may be able to walk immediately while wearing a support while others may have to use crutches to limit weightbearing.
For more serious fractures in which bones or bone fragments are misaligned, surgical intervention is necessary to prevent improper healing malunion that would impede proper movement in the ankle and possibly lead to other complications.
X-ray showing front view of surgical plates and screws to treat a trimalleolar fracture. X-ray showing side view of the same. X-ray showing front view of fixation of the fibula and posterior malleolus with restoration of the joint congruity. It takes about six weeks for bones to heal. It may take longer for ligaments or other soft tissues to heal as well. After surgery, patients are typically not weightbearing for 4 to 6 weeks until the bone heals. Patients are placed on a pain management protocol that minimizes their need for opioid medications.
A fracture in one bone does not necessarily stop you from using that foot, but several fractures will compel you to stop putting pressure on that ankle for up to a few months.
Several fractures will require an ankle fracture surgery, the main purposes of which is to enable the ankle joint to heal in a normal shape and decrease any chance of getting ankle arthritis in the future. An Ankle fracture surgery differs depending on the type of fracture. In fractures where the bone is simply unstable because it is out of place, the surgery involves just a simple alignment. The bone fragments are repositioned into the normal alignment and held together with special metal plates and screws.
An impacted fracture in which one bone fragment is driven into another can be mended by a procedure involving bone grafting. During the procedure, your surgeon will first administer antibiotics to help control infection and anesthesia to help ease any discomfort.
Depending on the extent of the surgery, it may either be anesthesia injected into the ankle area or the patient may be put to sleep so that there is absolutely no movement during the procedure. Engaging lower leg muscles while using the iWALK also may mitigate muscle atrophy, which is unavoidable using traditional crutches or knee scooters.
Remember to rest and elevate your ankle whenever possible during your recovery. Gently move your toes and bend your knee regularly to prevent your muscles from getting stiff. As tempting as it is, try not to put anything down your cast to scratch an itch. It may get stuck or cause damage to your skin, increasing the risk of infection.
In the shower, balance your injured leg on a stool or use a hands-free crutch like the iWALK. Over the counter painkillers such as acetaminophen e. Tylenol or ibuprofen e. Before starting any medication, talk to your doctor to ensure they are safe for your unique medical needs.
It takes around six to 10 weeks to recover from a broken ankle. During this time, you will probably need to wear a cast or boot. Most people are able to walk normally again and resume their daily activities by around three months.
Endurance will improve over time and as your strength improves. Most people get the green light to slowly start putting weight on their leg around six weeks after breaking their ankle. It generally takes six to 10 weeks for a broken ankle to heal. Conditions like diabetes and nicotine use can slow the healing time significantly, potentially even doubling the amount of time it takes to heal from a broken ankle.
You should be able to resume your normal daily routine around three months after breaking your ankle. It can take several months to regain strength and range of motion in your ankle.
Most people use crutches after ankle surgery but other mobility devices to consider include knee scooters and the iWALK hands-free crutch. Kevin D. About the author — Dr. Martin specializes in orthopaedic surgery of the foot and ankle.
In addition to his practice Dr. Martin serves as committee member of the American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society and is a regular contributor to multiple medical journals including Foot and Ankle International. What are the symptoms of a broken ankle? Immediate care of your broken ankle How to diagnose a broken ankle Treatment options for an ankle fracture How long does it take for a broken ankle to heal?
What can I expect during my broken ankle recovery? Broken Ankle FAQs. Ankle Injuries Overview. The Tibia Commonly known as the shinbone, it is the larger, weight-bearing bone in the lower leg. One, two, or all three malleoli can be broken.
First, there will be a lot of pain and a great deal of swelling. After undergoing a physical examination by a doctor, discussing your medical history, and having X-rays and possibly additional tests performed, your physician will determine whether you need ankle surgery.
When the procedure takes place, the bone fragments of the ankle must be re-positioned into the appropriate alignment.
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