What Is an Ankle Fracture?
An ankle fracture is a partial or complete break of the ankle bone. They can range from less serious injuries (such as those where small pieces of bone have been pulled off) to severe shattering breaks of the tibia, fibula, or both. Ankle fractures are common, and are usually caused by the ankle rolling inward or outward. They can even be mistaken for ankle sprains, and can occur at the same time as a sprain, but they are very different injuries. Furthermore, fractures require an accurate and early diagnosis by your podiatrist to be treated correctly.
Signs and Symptoms
- Pain where the fracture is. This pain can extend from the foot, all the way to the knee
- Significant swelling
- Blisters over the fracture site (these should be treated promptly by your podiatrist
- Bruising
- Inability to, or difficulty walking
- Change in the ankle's appearance
- Bone protruding from the skin. If this occurs, seek medical attention immediately. They can lead to severe infection, as well as a lengthened recovery period.
What Should I Do?
After having an ankle injury, it is very important that you see your podiatrist right away. If you aren't able to do so, you should try to go to the emergency room for immediate care, and follow up with a podiatrist for a more thorough evaluation. Until you are able to have an examination with your doctor, you should follow the R.I.C.E method:
- Rest
- Ice
- Compress
- Elevate
Diagnosis
Your podiatrist will examine the ankle in question, and may order X-Rays and other imaging studies.
Ankle fractures occur when the tibia, fibula, or both are either broken or damaged
