Topics > Ankle > Broken Ankle

Broken Ankle

The ankle actually involves two joints, one on top of the other. A broken ankle can involve one or more bones, as well as the surrounding connecting tissues (ligaments). Ankle breaks, or fractures, can occur in many ways, such as by falls, contact sports and exercise injuries, and force from a blow.

Symptoms:

• immediate and severe pain
• a snapping or popping sound at the time of the injury
• inability to move the ankle
• tenderness
• swelling
• deformity (sometimes)
• discolored skin, or bruising, which appears hours to days after the injury
• rarely, you may have an open wound with an ankle fracture

Because a severe sprain can often mask the symptoms of a broken ankle, every injury to the ankle should be examined by a physician.

To diagnose an ankle fracture, your doctor will review your symptoms, ask about how the injury occurred, and examine you. He or she will also order x-rays. Several different views of the bone may be taken to pinpoint the fracture.

The immediate emergency treatment for a fractured ankle is immobilization (keeping it from moving), elevation, compression (wrapping it with an Ace bandage), and icing (RICE).

RICE (Rest, Ice, Compression, and Elevation):

• Rest. Stop using the injured foot as soon as possible.
• Ice. Ice will help to reduce swelling and promote recovery during the first 48 hours. Place ice wrapped in a towel on the injured area for 20-30 min every 3-4 hours. Do not put ice directly on the skin.
• Compression. An Ace bandage should be lightly wrapped around the area.
• Elevation. The foot should be elevated on several pillows.

You may need a cast for 6 to 8 weeks to set the ankle bone in place. If the fracture is not too severe, you may be able to walk in the cast after a short period. If the ankle bone cannot be aligned perfectly before it is ready for a cast, surgery will be necessary.

In the first 2-3 weeks after the injury, keep your ankle elevated on pillows and place ice packs on top of the cast for 20 to 30 minutes every 3-4 hours to help reduce swelling. Also follow these precautions:

• Do not get the cast wet, cover it with plastic when you bathe.
• Use crutches or a cane, as instructed by your doctor to minimize putting weight on the injured leg.
• Do not scratch the skin around the cast or poke things down the cast.

Often immobilization in the cast weakens the muscles and you will need recovery exercises to strengthen the muscles after the cast is taken off.
When recovering from the injury you should also:

• Eat a variety of nutritious foods.
• Get plenty of rest.
• Elevate the leg when possible to reduce any swelling.

Call your doctor immediately if you notice:

• Increased swelling above or below the fracture.
• Grey or blue discoloration of your toenails even when your leg is elevated.
• Numbness or complete loss of feeling in the skin below the fracture.
• Lingering pain under the cast, or increasing pain not helped by elevation or medication.
• Burning pain under the cast.

Prevention:

• Wear proper shoes that fit correctly when you exercise.
• Gently stretch before and after impact physical activities such as aerobics, running, etc.
• Avoid playing recreational sports when you are fatigued.