Ankle Fractures

A broken or fractured ankle is an injury to the bone. You may experience a broken ankle from a twisting injury from a simple misstep or fall, or from direct trauma during a car crash, for example.

The seriousness of a broken ankle varies. Fractures can range from tiny cracks in your bones to breaks that pierce your skin.

Treatment for a broken ankle depends on the exact site and severity of the bone fracture. A severely broken ankle may require surgery to implant plates, rods or screws into the broken bone to maintain proper position during healing.

Symptoms

If you have a broken ankle, you may experience some of the following signs and symptoms:

• Immediate, throbbing pain
• Swelling
• Bruising
• Tenderness
• Deformity
• Difficulty or pain with walking or bearing weight

Make an appointment to see Dr. Oheb immediately after an ankle injury for a thorough evaluation and treatment plan.

Prevention

These basic sports and safety tips may help prevent a broken ankle:

• Wear proper shoes.Use hiking shoes on rough terrain. Choose appropriate athletic shoes for your sport.
• Replace athletic shoes regularly.Discard sneakers as soon as the tread or heel wears out or if the shoes are wearing unevenly. If you’re a runner, replace your sneakers every 300 to 400 miles.
• Start slowly.That applies to a new fitness program and each individual workout.
• Cross-train.Alternating activities can prevent stress fractures. Rotate running with swimming or biking.
• Build bone strength.Get enough calcium and vitamin D. Calcium-rich foods include milk, yogurt and cheese. Ask your doctor if you need to take vitamin D supplements.
• Declutter your house.Keeping clutter off the floor can help you to avoid trips and falls.
• Strengthen your ankle muscles.If you are prone to twisting your ankle, ask your doctor for exercises to help strengthen the supporting muscles of your ankle.