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Damaged ankle results from a broken or fractured ankle, it is one of the most common causes of ankle discomfort. Ankle fractures are common injuries that could result from direct trauma in an automobile accident, a simple slip and fall, or a twisting injury.
Ankle joint is made up of tibia, fibula, and talus. The large bone in the lower leg known as the tibia is also referred to as shinbone. The lower leg’s fibula is a smaller, thinner bone. The talus is bumped up against by the lower ends of the fibula and tibia as they come together. The main connection between the leg and foot is the talus.
An ankle fracture can range in severity and size from tiny cracks in the bones to breaks that penetrate your skin.
The location and degree of the bone fracture will determine the appropriate treatment for an ankle fracture. Surgery may be necessary to implant plates, rods, or screws into a badly broken ankle in order to keep the damaged bone in the right position while it heals. Ankle surgery is necessary for more severe fractures. Following an ankle fracture, the recovery time may be several weeks or months.
Symptoms
The following signs and symptoms could occur if you have a ankle fracture:
- Sudden, severe pain
- Swelling
- Bruising
- Tenderness
- Deformity
- Difficulty in walking
- Unable to bear weight at the affected ankle
If the pain and swelling do not subside or get better on their own, the condition get worsen overtime, or there is an obvious sign of deformity, then patient should seek medical attention. Also, if the injury makes it difficult for the patient to walk, then they should visit the healthcare provider.
Causes
A direct injury to the ankle can result in an ankle fracture, however twisting injuries are more common. The ankle could have broken as a result of a severe fall or being hit by anything.
The following are the most common cause of a ankle fracture:
- Accidents: Car accidents frequently result in crushing injuries, which can break bones that need to be surgically fixed.
- Falls: The ankles are susceptible to breaking if the patient trip and fall or if they land on their feet after a brief jump.
- Missteps: Simply putting your foot down incorrectly can occasionally result in a twisting injury that may break a bone.
- Sports: Participating in sports, especially those involve running that could hit the ankle or where quick movements could twist the ankle.
Risk factors
Risk factors increases risk of getting an ankle injury:
- High intensity sports: An ankle fracture can be brought on by strains, direct blows, and twisting accidents sustained while playing sports including basketball, football, gymnastics, tennis, and soccer.
- Increase in activity level: Increasing the exercise frequency or length unexpectedly can raise the chance of developing a stress fracture, regardless of whether you are a seasoned athlete or someone who has only recently begun exercising.
- Use improper technique or sports equipment: Stress fractures and falls can be caused by defective equipment, such as too-worn-out or improperly suited shoes. Ankle injuries can also result from improper training methods, such as skipping a warm-up and a stretching session.
- Smoking: Smoking cigarettes can increase risk of getting osteoporosis. Additionally, studies indicate that smokers may require more time to heal after a fracture.
- Poorly managed house: Falls and ankle injuries can result from walking around in a home with too much clutter or not enough light.
- Other conditions: Injury to the ankle bones is possible if someone have osteoporosis, which results in decreased bone density that increase fracture.
Diagnosis
Healthcare provider will conduct physical examination of the ankle to evaluate for any swelling or tenderness. The exact location of the pain could help the healthcare provider determine the cause and appropriate treatment.
The ankle range of motion will also be examined. Patient will be asked to walk a short distance to determine the gait. The following imaging test will be recommended if there is signs and symptoms of fracture.
- X-rays: An X-ray can typically show an ankle fracture. In order to prevent excessive bone image overlap, the technician might need to take X-rays from a variety of angles. Until the break actually starts healing, stress fractures can go undetected on X-rays.
- Computerized tomography (CT). The CT scan combines X-rays from numerous angles to create cross-sectional images of your body’s internal organs. CT scans can provide more information about the broken bone and the surrounding soft tissues.
- Bone scan: can find fractures that are undetectable on X-rays. A technician will inject a tiny amount of radioactive substance into a vein. The bones, particularly the areas that have been injured, are drawn to the radioactive substance. On the generated image, damaged areas, including stress fractures, appear as bright patches.
- Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The ligaments that help hold the ankle together are shown in great detail by MRI using radio waves and a powerful magnetic field. With the aid of imaging, ligaments and bones can be viewed, and fractures that are not visible on X-rays can be found.
Treatment
Treatment options for an ankle fracture is depended on the severity of the injury and which bone has been involved.
- Medications: The physician might prescribe an over-the-counter analgesic like acetaminophen (Tylenol, others) for pain relief.
- Physical therapy: Patient will probably need to relax tight muscles and ligaments in their ankles and feet after their bone has healed. Patient can learn exercises from a physical therapist to increase their strength, balance, and flexibility.
- Surgical or other procedures:
- Reduction: Healthcare provider might need to maneuver the parts back into their correct locations if they have a fracture that has been dislocated, meaning the two ends of the fracture are not perfectly aligned. This method is known as reduction. Patient could require a muscle relaxant, sedative, or local anesthetic to numb the area before this surgery, depending on how much pain and swelling you are experiencing.
Open reduction internal fixation surgery is used to treat ankle fractures (ORIF). The wounded ankle is opened up during ORIF, and the ends of your shattered bones are lined up. To maintain the stability of their ankle bones as the bones recover, they may also insert metal plates, wires, or screws.
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- Immobilization: In order for a fractured bone to heal, it must be immobilized. This typically necessitates the use of a cast or specialized boot.
- Surgery: An orthopedic surgeon might occasionally need to use pins, plates, or screws to keep their bones in the right alignment while they heal. If these materials are noticeable or uncomfortable, they may be removed once the fracture has healed.
