Ankle Fracture
Ankle fractures are common injuries caused by twisting injuries which can occur when walking, running or playing sports. There are lots of different types of ankle fractures. X-rays are usually need to diagnose a fracture but sometimes a CT or MRI scan are also required to investigate the full extent of the injury.
Early, appropriate intervention by a specialist can reduce the chance problems such as arthritis developing in the long term.
What is an ankle fracture?
An ankle fracture (or ‘broken ankle’) is an injury to one or more of the bones of the ankle (the tibia, the fibula and the talus). There may also be associated ligament injuries.
Does an ankle fracture need surgery?
Not always. Surgery is usually recommended if there is displacement of the bones or if the ankle is unstable. The goal of surgery is to allow the bones to heal in a position which is a close to normal as possible. Some ankle fractures are stable and can be treated without surgery but in a splint or a boot.
Can you walk on a broken ankle?
Weightbearing and walking on the ankle after a fracture can help with bone healing, reduce swelling and lessen the chance of a clot in the leg. For these reasons we always try and get people walking and weightbearing as soon as possible after and ankle fracture.
How long does it take to recover from a broken ankle?
The bones usually take 6 weeks to heal after a fracture and you would normally be in a boot or a plaster during that initial period. At 6 weeks an x-ray is taken to check the healing. The recovery continues with physiotherapy, strengthening and range of movement exercises. Swelling can take a few months to settle and it can take 3-6 months to be fully recovered.
