Ankle Fracture

1.Why Ankle Fracture occur?

Ankle Fracture are usually caused by a rotational injury, where the ankle becomes twisted, turned or rolled while walking or running, such as during sports activity. They can also be caused by a high-force impact, such as from a motor vehicle accident or fall.

2.How Different Ankle fractures lookslike?

• Minimally displaced:  Lower part of leg bone fractures but it stays in its position or displaced a bit
• Displaced: In this type of fracture , fractured leg bones displaced from its normal position and approximation of the bone lost.
• Open or compound: leg bone breaks through skin. It may involve ligaments, tendons,  or neurovascular structure.

3.Symptoms of talus fractures ?

• Swelling around the ankle joint
• Pain with movement of the ankle
• Fracture blisters
• Bruising of the skin
• Inability to place weight on the joint

3.How Ankle fracture can be diagnosed?

Xray and CT Scan are two basic tools to diagnose talus fracture

4.What should be a treatment?

Treatment is based on the alignment of the bones and the stability of the ankle joint. The goal is to have the bones heal as closely to perfect as possible so as to prevent any residual instability or malalignment of the bone. A malalignment of as little as two millimeters in the ankle joint can lead to arthritis. It is much easier to fix a fracture than to treat arthritis in the future.

Certain mild ankle fracture (stable and with no displacement) can be treated non surgically with a splint, short leg cast, or other protective device such as a walking boot Some patients may be able to walk immediately while wearing a support while others may have to use crutches to limit weightbearing.

For more serious fractures in which bones or bone fragments are misaligned, surgical intervention is necessary to prevent improper healing (malunion) that would decrease proper movement in the ankle and possibly lead to other complications.

5.How much time it takes for recovery ?

It takes about six weeks for bones to heal. It may take longer for ligaments or other soft tissues to heal as well.