An ankle fracture is synonymous with a broken ankle. At least one of the bones in the ankle joint has been separated into pieces. In some injuries, ligaments might also be damaged. A fractured ankle could have a simple break in one of the bones, in which case the person cannot walk on it, or the ankle might have several fractures, which will require that no weight be put on it for several months. Treatment for ankle fractures depends on which bone or bones are fractured.
Fibula Fracture
The severity of a fibula fracture will determine treatment. The fibula is also known as the calf bone. If the ankle is stable, surgery will probably not be required. Some doctors will allow the patient to put weight on the ankle; others will suggest waiting six weeks. A short cast or a high-top shoe should be used to protect the fracture. X-rays may be taken as the ankle heals to ensure that the fragments of the fracture do not become misaligned while healing. If the ankle is unstable, surgery might be necessary. To stabilize the ankle and to realign bone fragments, surgeons insert screws and a plate beside the bone or insert a rod inside of the bone.
Median Malleolus Fracture
If the fracture in the median malleolus bone is very low with small pieces, and it has not been moved out of place, surgery will not be necessary. It may be treated with a removable brace or a short cast. The patient cannot place weight on the ankle for six weeks. Frequent X-rays are needed to see if the fracture has changed positions. Surgery might be required if the ankle is unstable. A plate and screws technique is usually used. If the fracture has caused an indentation to the ankle joint, it will require a bone graft to repair it to avoid developing arthritis later.
Posterior Malleolus Fracture
A posterior malleolus fracture occurs behind the shin bone at the ankle joint. This bone is protected by cartilage, so if it is not treated properly, the surface of the cartilage will not properly heal and will lead to the cartilage becoming damaged and arthritis developing. If the ankle is stable, treatment may involve a removable brace or short cast. The patient should not place weight on the injury for six weeks. If the ankle is unstable, the surgeon will place screws from the front to the back on the ankle or will place screws and a plate behind the shin bone.
Bimalleolar and Trimalleolar Fractures
As their names indicate, these fractures include two or three bones in the injury and must be treated surgically because the bones are usually dislocated, and the ankle is unstable. A splint or cast might be used while the surgeon waits for the swelling to subside. Surgery for either of these fractures is the same as surgery for a posterior malleolus fracture.
Tags: ankle unstable, ankle joint, short cast, ankle stable, behind shin