A fractured or broken ankle is an injury or trauma to the bone that is often caused by a simple misstep, fall, or direct trauma during a car crash. The severity of a broken ankle is often different among people. It ranges from small cracks in the bones to breaks that pierce the skin.
Physicians recommend different treatments for people with a broken ankle because it depends on the exact site and severity of the fracture, overall health, and other factors. In severe cases, people require surgery to implant plates, rods, or screws into the broken bone. It helps keep the proper position of the bone during healing.
Symptoms
People with a broken ankle usually experience the following symptoms. For example:
- Bruising
- Deformity
- Tenderness
- Swelling
- Throbbing pain
- Difficulty walking
If pain and swelling do not improve with home remedies, immediately visit a doctor. You should seek medical care if trauma interferes with walking.
Causes
In most cases, this condition occurs due to a twisting injury, but it can also be caused by a direct blow to the ankle. Check below the most common causes of a broken ankle:
- Car or motorcycle accidents – These are common causes of broken ankles that usually need surgical repair.
- Falls – Falling and tripping can break bones in the ankle.
- Missteps – Some people may get a broken ankle when they put their foot in the wrong position, which results in a twisting injury.
Risk Factors
There are some factors that may increase the risk of a broken ankle. Examples include:
- High-impact sports – Direct blows, stresses, and twisting injuries can happen in people who participate in certain sports. These include basketball, football, gymnastics, tennis, and soccer.
- Improper technique or sports equipment – Using improper equipment may contribute to stress and falls. For instance, shoes that are too worn or not properly fitted. Moreover, not warming up and stretching also increases the risk of ankle trauma.
- Sudden increase in the exercise intensity – It usually does not matter whether you are a trained athlete or a beginner. A sudden increase in exercise intensity significantly increases the risk of a stress fracture.
- Do not keep your home poorly lit – For example, if your house is poorly lit or cluttered, it increases the risk of falls and ankle injuries.
- Some health conditions – An increased risk of ankle fractures exists in people with osteoporosis (brittle bones) or reduced bone density.
- Smoking – Some research has shown that smoking significantly increases the risk of osteoporosis.
What Are The Potential Complications of a Broken Ankle?
While complications of this condition are not common, some people may experience the following ones. Examples include:
- Arthritis – Sometimes, fractures may extend to the joints and cause this complication over time. See a doctor immediately if the ankle begins to hurt long after trauma.
- Osteomyelitis (bone infection) – People with open fractures are at increased risk of developing osteomyelitis. It often occurs because the bone is exposed to bacteria.
- Compartment syndrome – This is a condition that rarely happens with ankle injuries. It causes pain, swelling, and disability (sometimes).
- Blood vessel or nerve damage – Injuries or trauma to the ankle may cause damage to the blood vessels or nerves. Immediately contact your healthcare professional if you experience numbness or circulation problems. However, a lack of blood flow may lead to bone tissue death and collapse.
How to Prevent a Broken Ankle?
Check below some tips that may prevent a broken ankle:
- Wear proper equipment – For example, use hiking shoes on rough terrain. If you are practicing another sport, choose appropriate shoes.
- Replace athletic shoes regularly – It is advised to change shoes as soon as the tread or heel wears out. For instance, a runner should replace the shoes every 300 to 400 miles.
- Begin slowly – This includes a new fitness program or individual workout.
- Cross-train – There are alternative activities that significantly reduce the risk of fractures. For example, you can change running with swimming or biking.
- Build bone strength – Discuss with your healthcare professional about Calcium and vitamin D supplements because they help strengthen the bones. However, cheese, yogurt, and milk, and some Calcium-rich foods.
- Strengthen the ankle muscles – Those who are more likely to twist their ankles should perform specific exercises that strengthen the ankle muscles.
Diagnosis
First, doctors will perform a physical examination to check for irregularities linked with a broken ankle. During this examination, they will move the foot in multiple positions to check the range of motion. When symptoms identified during a physical examination indicate a broken ankle, doctors may perform the following tests to confirm the condition. For example:
- X-rays – In most cases, doctors diagnose a broken ankle by X-rays.
- Bone scan – This test helps identify bone fractures that cannot be seen on X-rays. During this test, doctors usually inject a small amount of radioactive substance into a vein.
- CT (computerized tomography) scans – This is another imaging test used to get cross-sectional images of the bones. It can also be used for other health problems.
- MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) scans – It is a specific test that uses radio waves and a magnetic field to produce detailed images of different organs and structures of the body. In such cases, it is used to check the ligaments that hold the ankle together.
Treatment
The treatment is different among people with a broken ankle because it depends on the exact location and severity of the fracture. Check below some treatments often recommended for people with a broken ankle:
Medicines
Physicians may recommend a nonprescription pain reliever (such as Acetaminophen) to reduce pain caused by the fracture. In severe cases, doctors may recommend some prescription painkillers (such as opioids).
Therapy
Most people need to loosen up stiff muscles and ligaments after healing. In such cases, your doctor may refer you to a physical therapist who can teach you specific exercises to improve balance, strength, and flexibility.
Surgery and Other Treatments
- Reduction – This is a process in which the fractures are displaced. It means the two ends of the fracture are not aligned well, and physicians usually need to put the pieces back into the correct position.
- Immobilization – In most cases, a fractured bone should be immobilized, which often requires a special cast or boot.
- Surgery – During this procedure, surgeons use pins, plates, or screws to keep the proper position of the bones during healing. These materials are often removed after healing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you still walk with a broken ankle?
Usually, it is difficult to walk with a fractured or broken ankle. However, it depends on the severity of the fracture. In mild cases, people can walk, but anyway should seek medical care right away.
How long does it take for a broken ankle to heal?
Normally, a broken ankle heals within 12 weeks. However, a complete recovery may last up to several months (sometimes longer).
What are the long-term effects of a broken ankle?
People with a broken ankle may experience some complications. These include:
- Malunion or nonunion (it occurs when the bones do not heal properly or do not heal completely)
- Swelling
- Bone infection
- Arthritis
- Nerve and blood vessel damage
- Compartment syndrome
- Blood clots
- Bleeding
- Bone misalignment
- Charcot arthropathy (this is a condition that leads to degeneration of the ankle joint)
This article does not contain all possible complications that people with broken ankles may experience. Ask your healthcare provider if you have additional questions.
