Ankle Injury : Fracture

This refers to a break or fracture to one or more of the bones which comprise the ankle joint. Often, the fracture involves one or both bones of the lower leg (fibula and tibia). The outer prominence of the ankle joint is the point at which a fibula fracture will occur most often. The inner prominence is the location where tibia fractures occur. A tibia fracture is less common and more serious.

Common symptoms include: pain, swelling and tenderness to either (or both) ankle prominence. More serious fractures may be evident by deformity of the joint. Pain is often present while at rest, in addition to any attempt at walking.

Evaluation includes: examination to check for normal motor (movement) and sensory (feeling) functions. Bone x-rays will determine the type of fracture and its severity. Movement of fractured (bone) fragments out of their normal anatomic position is referred to as displacement. The degree of displacement is a key factor in judging the overall severity of the fracture. Analysis of these factors will guide the Orthopaedic Surgeon to the appropriate form of treatment. More serious fractures, involving gross displacement of fracture fragments, may require an operation to reattach the fragments.

Untreated (severely) displaced fractures can result in permanent deformity, stiffness, and improper joint function. In most cases, fractures which include a laceration (or cut) overlying the broken bone, require surgical management.

Treatment includes ice packs and elevation to reduce swelling. Splinting (half cast) may be useful early on to allow the injury "room to swell." Eventual circular cast application is adequate treatment in most cases of ankle fracture.

Crutches, to maintain nonweight bearing on the injury, are crucial. Bearing weight too early could result in an undesirable displacement of the fracture site. Aspirin or anti-inflammatories (ibuprofen) are helpful for pain control.

The majority of ankle fractures heal in 6 weeks.

Children will frequently have more subtle fractures (Salter-Harris fracture) of the ankle that are not always noted on x-ray. Here, the fracture can occur in growth areas on the bone and should always be managed with splinting and crutches even if the x-rays are normal.

The Orthopaedic Surgeon is the expert in the management of the ankle fracture.


12 Hip Dislocation
12 Hip Fracture
12 Insect Stings and Spider Bites
12 Human and Animal Bites
12 Shoulder Injury Fracture
12 Toxic Inhalations and Carbon Monoxide Poisoning
12 Facial Injury Jaw Fracture and Dislocation
12 Kidney Injury
12 Knee Injury General Considerations
12 Knee Injury Contusion
12 Knee Injury Fracture
12 Knee Injury Sprain
12 Stab Wounds
12 Leg Injury Fractures and Contusions
12 Leg Injury Shin Splints
12 Lightning Injury
12 Oral and Tongue Injuries
12 Nasal Fracture or Contusion
12 Neck Injury General Considerations
12 Neck Injury Fracture
12 Neck Injury Spinal Cord Injury
12 Pelvic Bone Fracture
12 Puncture Wounds
12 Chest Injury Rib Fracture
12 Back Injury Sacrococcygeal Injury
12 Scorpion Bites
12 Abrasion Injuries
12 Shoulder Injury Clavicle Fracture
12 Shoulder Injury Strains and Sprains
12 Snakebite
12 Neck Injury Spinal Cord Injury
12 Abdominal Injury Ruptured Spleen
12 Foot Injury Toe Fracture and Sprain
12 Vaginal or Vulvar Injury
12 Drowning and Near Drowning

INJURIES

Abdominal Injury
Abdominal Injury: Contusion
Abrasion
Amputations
Animal Bites
Ankle Fracture
Ankle Injury
Ankle Injury: Contusion
Ankle Sprain
Back Injury
Back Injury : Sacrococcygeal Injury
Back Strain
Burns
Carbon Monoxide Poisoning
Chemical Burns
Chest Injuries
Chest Injury: Aortic Rupture
Chest Injury: Hemothorax
Chest Injury: Myocardial Contusion
Chest Injury : Pneumothorax
Chest Injury: Pulmonary Contusion
Chronic Back Pain
Clavicle Fracture
Compression Fractures
Contusions
Decompression Sickness
Disc Disease
Gunshot Wounds
Hand Injury: Fingertip Amputations
Head Injury
Liver Injury
Marine Stings
Muscle Strains
Rib Fracture
Ruptured Spleen
Shoulder Injury: A-C Separation
Spider Bites
Spinal Cord Injury
Sternum Fracture
Testicular Injury
Wrist Injury
hi Scuba Related Injuries
i Hand Injury Finger Amputaion
de Lecerations
de Cold Injury and Hypothermia
dd Dental Injury
xs Facial Injury
sdf Neck Injury
e Shoulder Injury Dislocation
e Ear Injury
ed Elbow Injury
de Elbow Injury Fracture
dfe Elbow Injury Nursemaids
ee Electrical Injury
de Eye Injury
ed Facial Injury General Considerations
fr Facial Injury Contusion
ed Hand Injury Finger Sprains
ded Fingernail and Toenail Injuries
dd Hand Injury Fractures
23 Head Injury Skull Fracture and Concussion
44 Chest Injury Myocardial Contusion
fde Heat Illness
ed Hest Injury Hemothorax
y Back Injury Disc Disease
;l High Altitude Illness


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