Ankle Fracture – Causes, Symptoms and Treatment

When one or more of the bones that make up the ankle joint are broken, it is identified as an “ankle fracture”. A fractured ankle can range from a small break in one bone to several full breaks in multiple bones. Both are extremely painful and can affect people of all ages. When dealing with an ankle fracture it is important to be seen by a Podiatrist. When an ankle is fractured, damage to the surrounding ligaments which stabilize the ankle is likely to have occurred. If damage is significant, surgery may be necessary, however; at all costs we at Da Vinci Foot and Ankle offer non-surgical treatment plans when we know that healing can take place without it.  

Causes of Ankle Fractures

  • Twisting or rotating your ankle in an abnormal way
  • Rolling your ankle
  • Tripping or falling
  • Pre-existing ligament tears leading to abnormal use of ankle
  • Impact during a car accident

Common Symptoms

Because a severe ankle sprain can feel the same as an ankle fracture, every ankle injury should be evaluated by a podiatrist. Symptoms may vary between patients, however; if you have any of the symptoms below, we advise an immediate appointment and to eliminate weight bearing until you are seen.

  • Immediate and severe pain
  • Swelling
  • Bruising
  • Tenderness when touched
  • Unable to put pressure on injured foot
  • Any physical signs of deformity such as bone protruding towards the skin.

Nonsurgical Treatment

At Da Vinci Foot and Ankle it is our priority to get you to the road of healing. While surgery may be unavoidable for some, non-surgical treatment is our first line of defense.

We incorporate several different methods to protect the fracture while it heals. These range from special foot wear to casting. During non surgical treatment, multiple appointments are made within a 6 week period to ensure the fracture has not moved and that healing is taking place.

Surgical Treatment

If the fracture is determined to be a more severe case and not able to be healed on its own, you may need to be treated with surgery. During ankle surgery, the bone fragments are first repositioned into their normal alignment and then held together with special screws and metal plates attached to the outer surface of the bone. In some cases, a screw or rod inside the bone may be used to keep the bone fragments together while they heal.

 

X-ray of a medial malleolus fracture and treatment

If you believe you have suffered from an ankle fracture, please contact one of our locations below for an appointment.

You don’t have to live with pain. Da Vinci Foot and Ankle can help!

CLICK HERE to book your next appointment at Da Vinci Foot and Ankle.

Lake Oconee, GA 706-999-9994

, GA 706-597-0102