To schedule an appointment with our foot and ankle specialists, call 734-936-5780
An ankle fracture happens when one or both of the bones of the ankle are broken. Injury often occurs during a trauma, such as a fall or a motor vehicle accident. The treatment for an ankle fracture depends on the stability of the fracture and the risk of developing arthritis in the joint in the future.
If you have fractured or broken your ankle, we will give you an expert diagnosis and a personalized treatment plan for recovery.
Ankle Fracture/Broken Ankle Symptoms
- Pain, swelling and bruising after trauma
- Deformity may be present
- Inability to bear weight
Diagnosing an Ankle Fracture/Broken Ankle
So we can understand the extent of your injury:
- We will take a complete health history and conduct a physical examination to assess the breakage, pinpoint the location, and check your range of motion, as well as consider any other medical conditions that might be related to the fracture.
- We will take X-rays to evaluate the fracture pattern.
- We may order a CT scan or other form of imaging in order to further evaluate the fracture. This will be determined during your visit
Treatments for an Ankle Fracture
Treatment recommendations are based on the severity of the fracture:
- For a stable ankle fracture (where the fractured bone is not out of place) – We can usually treat the ankle without surgery. We immobilize your ankle in a pneumatic boot (it looks like a ski boot with an inflatable liner for additional compression) for about 6 weeks, and you can bear weight on your ankle in the boot as much as you can tolerate it. Following this, we transition you into an ankle brace and start you on physical therapy. By 3-4 months, you can be resume higher impact activities, like running. Routine office visits and X-rays are required to evaluate fracture healing.
- For an unstable ankle fracture(the fractured bone is out of place) – Surgery is usually required to maintain the position of the bones, using plates and screws, as the fracture heals. This surgery reduces the risk of developing arthritis in the ankle in the future. The outpatient surgical procedure typically involves general anesthesia with a local nerve block. For some patients, an overnight stay is required.
If Surgery is Recommended
Our surgeons are nationally and internationally recognized for their knowledge and skills, and will be happy to discuss the pros and cons of surgery with you.
Contact Us / Make an Appointment
Selecting a health care provider is a very important decision. Because we are highly experienced in treating fractured or broken ankles, we would like to help you explore your options. Visit our Contact Us page to see a list of clinics and their contact information. Our staff will be glad to talk with you about how we can help.