Broken Ankle Medical Treatment and Surgery Doctors usually place a splint on the injured ankle for a few days to 2 weeks until the swelling decreases around the joint. The type of fracture and the stability of the fractured joint will determine the type of splint that will be used, or whether surgery is needed.
If the ankle bones are not aligned properly, the doctor may realign them before placing the splint. If the bones cannot be realigned properly in the emergency department, then the patient may require an operation.
Surgery will also be needed if any bone has broken through the skin. If the bone breaks through the skin, the fracture is then called a compound fracture. This is more serious than a simple fracture.
Jupiter Medical Center S. Old Dixie Hwy. Jupiter, FL Palm Beach Gardens, FL Therefore, the typical treatment is to surgically repair the fracture to stabilize the ankle joint. One special subset of these fractures is called a bimalleolar equivalent fracture. This typically occurs when there is a fracture of the lateral malleolus and a ligament injury on the inner side of the ankle the deltoid ligament.
Bimalleolar equivalent fractures need to be considered any time a lateral malleolus fracture has occurred. If there is pain or swelling on the inner side of the ankle, a bimalleolar ankle fracture may be present. Special x-rays, called stress x-rays, can be performed to look for signs of instability of the ankle joint. Another variant of this type of injury is called a trimalleolar ankle fracture. The typical bimalleolar fracture involves bone injury to the inner and outer side of the ankle.
People who sustain a trimalleolar ankle fracture also have a bone injury at the back of the tibia posterior malleolus fracture near the ankle joint. However, if the bone injury in the back of the tibia, called the posterior malleolus, causes instability of the ankle joint , it may need to also be repaired at the time of surgery.
Treatment of all of these injuries is similar, and almost always requires surgery. The surgical procedure is performed to repair the bones, most often with metal plates and screws. It is very important to repair the bones with proper alignment; if not lined up perfectly there is a higher chance of developing early ankle arthritis.
One of the concerns of these complex ankle fractures is that they are usually accompanied by significant ankle swelling. Often this swelling can be serious, and may even cause blisters called fracture blisters to form on the skin.
Surgery is frequently delayed days or weeks if there is significant swelling. Severe swelling not only makes the surgery more difficult to perform but can dramatically increase the risk of infection and healing problems after surgery.
As mentioned, infection and wound complications are the most worrisome concerns associated with ankle fracture surgery. Other common complications include stiffness and long-term swelling. Many patients notice swelling after ankle fracture surgery for six months, and may always have some increased swelling. Another concern is that because the bone is directly under the skin, metal plates and screws are sometimes bothersome and require removal. Lastly, even with appropriate care, surgical repair, and proper rehabilitation, ankle arthritis can occur.
Note: All information is for educational purposes only. For specific medical advice, diagnoses, and treatment, consult your doctor. Search KidsHealth library.
May also be called: Pott's Fracture A bimalleolar bi-MAL-ee-uh-lur fracture is a type of broken ankle that happens when parts of both the tibia and fibula called the malleoli are fractured. More to Know The bony knobs on the inside and outside of the ankle are called the malleoli, which is the plural form of malleolus.
A severe ankle sprain feels the same as a broken ankle. Common complaints include immediate, severe pain, bruising, tenderness to the touch, swelling, inability to bear weight, and a deformity of the ankle. For severe ankle fractures, the bone may protrude through the skin.
Because it is difficult to tell a sprain from a fracture, our orthopedic specialists recommend an evaluation by x-ray. In some cases, the surgeon orders a computed tomography CAT scan or magnetic resonance imaging MRI for further evaluation. A lateral malleolus fracture is a fracture of the fibula bone.
Since there are different levels at which the fibula can be injured, the treatment depends on the severity. Nonsurgical Treatment — When lateral malleolus fractures are not out of place, the surgeon will treat these without surgery.
The surgeon places you in a short leg cast or other device for protection. Depending on the injury, you will not be able to put weight on the affected leg for 4 to 6 weeks, meaning you will have to use crutches. Surgical Treatment — For lateral malleolus fractures that are out of place, the orthopedic specialist will perform surgery on the injury. To make the ankle stable, he uses a plate and screws or screws and a rod. These attach to the bone fragments to realign the fibula so it can heal properly.
A medial malleolus fracture can also involve injury to the fibula, the posterior malleolus, and the ankle ligaments. Just like the lateral types, the orthopedic specialist treats medial malleolus fractures according to their severity.
Nonsurgical Treatment — If the fracture is in alignment, it can be treated without surgery.
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