A broken ankle, also known as an ankle fracture, is a common injury of the foot. The ankle is made up of three bones, the talus, tibia and fibula, which meet at the ankle joint. An injury to any or all of these bones can result in a fractured ankle. Ligaments and tendons in the area may also be damaged as a result of the incident causing an ankle fracture.
Symptoms
When someone breaks an ankle, the symptoms may seem obvious. However, an audible snapping sound or intense pain in the ankle doesn't necessarily mean that the ankle is broken, according to MayoClinic.com. More reliable symptoms include a combination of many symptoms, including an inability to bear weight, pain that gets worse when the individual tries to use the ankle, bruising, tenderness of the immediate area, and obvious deformities in the ankle. In cases of a complete break, a piece of ankle bone may even break through the skin.
Causes
Ankle breaks are typically caused by trauma to the foot and ankle area. Car accidents, sports and falls are common incidents that lead to broken bones, including ankle fractures. Dropping a heavy object onto the foot is another way to incur a fractured ankle. A stress fracture in the ankle may develop more slowly, as repetitive impacts slowly create cracks in the bones. Individuals with bone disorders such as osteoporosis are more prone to bone fractures.
First Aid
Someone who suspects he has a broken ankle should sit or lie down to take all weight off of that foot. The American Podiatric Medical Association recommends applying ice to the area to help prevent swelling and aid in numbing the area, which decreases pain. A bag of ice wrapped in a towel should be placed on the ankle for up to 20 minutes and then a 40 minute rest taken before applying ice again.
Medical Treatment
An individual with an ankle fracture will likely have the ankle immobilized by a cast in order to facilitate healing, according to Drugs.com. In some cases, the doctor may have to perform a reduction, a manual manipulation of the bones designed to shift them back into place. The doctor will provide pain medication during this procedure and a prescription for pain relief in the days to come. In rare cases, surgery may be necessary to realign bones that have shifted too far for external manipulation or which have partially healed incorrectly.
Prognosis
According to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, the minimum time for a broken bone to heal is six weeks, but for many the process may take much longer. For some, recovery takes up to two years. Most patients who have a broken ankle need to go through rehabilitation, including physical therapy and exercises that help heal the foot.
