The number of broken ankles is on the rise, according to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, partly due to an active, aging population. In 2003, ankle problems sent more than 1 million people to emergency rooms. A broken ankle can range from a few cracks in the bone to pieces of bone protruding through the skin and affecting nerves, blood vessels and other tissue.
Anatomy
Three bones come together to form the complex ankle joint: the tibia, the fibula and the talus. The tibia, or shin bone, and the fibula form the lower half of the leg below the knee, and are usually the bones that are broken when a person is diagnosed with a broken ankle. The tibia and fibula end in the bony prominences on the inside and outside of the ankle joint, where they wrap around the talus to form the ankle joint.
Causes
A broken ankle is most often caused by injury. Damage can occur by twisting the ankle or after a fall. Stress fractures, or bones that crack due to chronic overuse or arthritis, are common in the feet and ankles, according to MayoClinic.com. The impact of something heavy falling on the foot and ankle are a common cause of fractures, as are car accidents.
Symptoms
Immediate and severe pain is indicative of a broken ankle, but a severe sprain may hurt just as much. A broken ankle is painful to the touch and may cause swelling, bruising and limited ability to bear weight on the ankle. There may be deformity around the ankle.
First Aid
Immobilize the ankle by wrapping it. Help the victim to a car or a chair until help arrives. Call for an ambulance if necessary, or if the patient goes into shock.
Diagnosis
A trip to an emergency room or urgent care facility is necessary to diagnose and treat a broken ankle. A broken ankle can be confused with a strain or a ruptured Achilles tendon. A doctor will order X-rays to determine which bones are broken, if any, and the severity of the break.
Treatment
A splint or cast is usually applied to immobilize the ankle joint. A splint allows more room for swelling but a cast offers better immobilization. Pain medicines are prescribed to alleviate discomfort. Crutches may be used to reduce pressure applied to the broken limb. Sometimes surgery is necessary to realign damaged bones and repair any damaged tissue surrounding the fracture site.
Risks/Considerations
Arthritis may form if the joint is not properly treated as the misalignment of the three bones in the ankle may cause them to grind against each other. Bone infection is possible if the fracture is exposed to bacteria. Damage to nerves and blood vessels may cause future problems for the victim.
