Ankle Fracture
Foot & Ankle Pain Treatments
What is an Ankle Fracture?
An Ankle Fracture, more commonly referred to as a “broken ankle”, is a fracture to one or more of the bones that make up the ankle joint. Fractures can occur in any or all of the bones of the ankle joint, including:
-
Tibia – the shinbone
-
Fibula – the smaller bone of the lower leg
-
Talus – a small bone that sits between the heel bone and the tibia and fibula
These injuries can be the result of a slip and fall, an accident or a direct blow to the ankle. In some instances, only one of the bones is fractured and, in other instances, several of the bones may fracture at the same time. Fracturing more than one of the bones in the ankle leads the ankle to become more unstable and may increase pain and lack of mobility.
If you have an Ankle Fracture you may experience the following symptoms:
- Pain on the other side of the ankle
- Swelling
- Bruising
- Difficulty bearing weight
- A visible deformity in the ankle
At OSS Health, our Board Certified Foot and Ankle Specialists have helped thousands of patients with Ankle Fractures live active and healthy lives using the latest non-surgical options.
How is an Ankle Fracture Treated at OSS Health?
Depending on the severity of the fracture as well as how many bones have been fractured, treatments can be either non-surgical or surgical. Your OSS Health Foot and Ankle Specialist will determine what treatment options are best for you based on X-Rays and the severity of symptoms.
At OSS Health non-surgical treatment options may include:
- Rest
- Bracing
- A walking boot or cast
- Physical Therapy
In the instances where the fracture is severe or the ankle is unstable, your OSS Health Foot and Ankle Specialist may recommend a surgical procedure to fixate the fracture.
During the procedure:
- The bones within the ankle are placed back into the correct position
- Small plates and screws are used to keep the bones in place while the fracture(s) heal