Ankle fracture

Editor-In-Chief: Prab R Tumpati, MD
Obesity, Sleep & Internal medicine
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Ankle fracture
Synonyms	Broken ankle
Pronounce	N/A
Specialty	N/A
Symptoms	Pain, swelling, bruising, inability to bear weight
Complications	Compartment syndrome, arthritis, infection
Onset	Sudden
Duration	Weeks to months
Types	N/A
Causes	Trauma
Risks	Osteoporosis, high-impact sports, falls
Diagnosis	Physical examination, X-ray, CT scan
Differential diagnosis	Ankle sprain, Achilles tendon rupture
Prevention	N/A
Treatment	Rest, ice, compression, elevation, casting, surgery
Medication	Pain relievers
Prognosis	Good with treatment
Frequency	Common
Deaths	N/A

An ankle fracture is a break in one or more of the bones that make up the ankle joint. The ankle joint is composed of three bones: the tibia, the fibula, and the talus. Ankle fractures can range from a simple break in one bone, which may not prevent you from walking, to several fractures, which may force your ankle out of place and require you not to put weight on it for a few months.

Types of Ankle Fractures

There are several types of ankle fractures, and they are usually classified by the area of the bone that is damaged. These include:

• Lateral malleolus fracture: A fracture to the fibula bone in the lower leg.
• Medial malleolus fracture: A fracture to the tibia at the inside of the lower leg.
• Posterior malleolus fracture: A fracture to the tibia at the back of the lower leg.
• Bimalleolar fractures: Fractures that occur in both the tibia and fibula.
• Trimalleolar fractures: Fractures that occur in all three malleoli of the ankle.

Causes

Ankle fractures can occur from excessive rolling or twisting of the ankle, falls, or impact from accidents. High-impact sports such as soccer, football, and skiing are common causes of ankle fractures.

Symptoms

Symptoms of an ankle fracture can include pain, swelling, bruising, inability to walk or bear weight on the ankle, and deformity if the ankle is dislocated as well.

Diagnosis

Diagnosis of an ankle fracture usually involves a physical examination, an x-ray, and sometimes a CT scan or MRI to provide more detailed images of the injury.

Treatment

Treatment for an ankle fracture depends on the severity of the fracture. Non-surgical treatments include casting or splinting to immobilize the ankle and allow the fracture to heal. Surgical treatments may be necessary for more severe fractures and can involve the use of plates and screws to hold the bones in place while they heal.

Recovery

Recovery from an ankle fracture can take several weeks to several months and often involves physical therapy to restore strength and mobility to the ankle.

See Also

• Bone fracture
• Orthopedic surgery
• Physical therapy

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