Ankle Fracture Management
Fractured ankle, also known as a broken ankle, includes a break in one or more ankle bones. These fractures can range from from tiny hairline fractures to severe bone fractures that may impact the stability and function.
Fractures in the ankle and foot can occur to anyone. While minor fractures heal themselves but more severe fractures may require surgery. Understanding the right treatment and management for these fractures is essential to ensure fast healing. Our comprehensive guide will provide you with every detail for proper and effective management of this condition.
Common Causes
Ankle fracture typically occurs when a person begins with an activity that requires an impact on the foot. The activities may include running, hiking or other field sports. It can also happen to someone who rapidly increases their level of activity. Like, when a person who jogs for a few miles per week begins training for a 26-mile marathon.Fractured Ankle Signs
Some signs include:- Difficulty to bear weight on foot
- Your foot appears sloppy or crooked
- A bone pokes through your skin
- Walking and moving difficulties
- Intense pain, which can cause dizziness due to severe pain
- swelling
- bruising
- Tenderness
Fractured Ankle Diagnose
If you suspect the above signs relating to ankle fracture, you must visit an orthopedic doctor to evaluate the extent of the injury and get an immediate treatment. The doctors may recommend imaging tests to diagnose fractured ankles. These tests may include:- X Ray
- MRI
- CT scans
Ankle Fracture Management Journey
The management and treatment is based upon the alignment of joints and stability in the ankle joint. This journey aims to ensure bone recovery back to their original condition and to avoid any further malalignment or instability in the bones. An imbalance as little as two millimeters around the ankle joint could result in arthritis. It is much easier to fix a broken bone rather than managing arthritis later. Certain mild ankle fractures can be treated without surgery by using a splint, a leg cast or any other device that protects the ankle like walking boots. Some patients may be able to walk immediately with support; however, others might require crutches to limit weight bearing.Surgical
For more severe fractures where bones or fragments of bone are misaligned, surgery is required to avoid improper healing (malunion) which could hinder the ankle’s ability to move, causing other complications. Treating ankle fractures with surgical procedure is called Open Reduction Internal Fixation. This procedure involves screws and metal plates to stabilize and realign the bones. Following surgery, the path to restore your mobility begins by undergoing physiotherapy.Non-Surgical
The treatment for ankle fractures is based on factors like the number of broken ankle bones and more. Some ankle fractures don’t require surgery. However, every broken ankle requires the same degree of care to heal. There may be a chance that you don’t require surgery for your broken ankle. Your condition may require equipment like a brace or cast to help support your ankle as it heals. For more serious ankle fractures, you may need reduction or surgical intervention.Physical Therapy Management
Rehabilitation: The more significant fractures are impermanent and require a rehabilitation plan following cast removal. Rehabilitation programs center around the patient and consider the patient’s desires and goals. They typically consist of ankle flexibility, strength exercises, weight bearing and balance exercises. Therapists help patients by assisting with exercises at home and providing necessary guidance. Physiotherapy: After an ankle injury, it is necessary to exercise physiotherapy as it begins with gentle exercises immediately following surgery to avoid stiffness. As healing continues, physiotherapists guide patients to help restore joint mobility muscles strength, joint range and stability. In the first few weeks, the physiotherapy focuses on controlling swelling, reducing pain, and getting back to gentle exercises within the limitations of a protective boot. The aim is to keep as much exercise as possible without compromising your healing. Strength Training: This can be beneficial after fractures and sometimes recommended as an option for rehabilitation with physical therapy. This is because strength loss is among the most frequent complications caused by an ankle fracture.Is Early Weight Bearing Effective For Recovery?
Patients with ankle fractures are usually advised not to exercise for six weeks after surgery (delayed weight bearing). However, early weight-bearing (walking) two weeks after surgery could be a more effective rehabilitation method. The early weight bearing is a practice of having a patient stand two to six weeks of surgery, having the ankle joint being stressed with the use of either full or partial weight bearing. Early weight bearing can provide many benefits to patients like a quicker pressure stimulation of the injured ankle joint. This can help in healing fractures and recovery of ankle function.Complications of Ankle Fractures
If you get a broken ankle, it is crucial to get medical attention. If you don’t seek treatment, fractures might not heal properly and may remain damaged. Fractures that do not recover correctly can cause complications like ankle instability, chronic pain and arthritis.Ideal Time For Fractured Ankle Healing
Ankle fracture management and healing may be challenging for patients. Healing these fractures may usually take around six to twelve weeks. Injuries that don’t require surgery could heal in six weeks. However, fractures that need surgical interventions may take around twelve weeks or more for healing. Certain factors like degree of injury, age, general health, etc. can affect your fractured ankle healing time. Although most people resume their normal activities in three to four months (except for sports). However, some individuals may need more than a year to fully recover.How Can You Prevent Ankle Fractures?
One cannot always prevent broken ankle; however, you can be careful and prevent injuring yourself by following the below mentioned suggestions:- Ensure a proper warm up before you begin with any sport or exercise.
- Ensure that your feet and ankle muscles are properly conditioned for the sport you’re playing.
- Wear proper footwear appropriate for the task you’re performing.
- Be careful while walking or running on uneven surfaces.
- Prefer using an ankle brace for support if you’ve damaged your ankle previously.