The ankle joint consists of three bones: the tibia, fibula, and talus. With an ankle fracture, one or more of these bones can break, leading to substantial pain and immobility. Treatment usually involves rest along with casting or the placement of a walking boot, but some people may require surgery as well.
Ankle fractures can be categorized by what part of the ankle is affected. Accordingly, there are multiple types of ankle fractures that can occur:
Your doctor will provide more information on the area of the ankle that’s broken and what that might mean for your treatment and recovery.
Ankle fractures, sprains, and strains can sometimes cause similar symptoms, and only a doctor will know for sure if you have an ankle fracture, and which bones are affected if so. However, the following symptoms usually signal the need for a medical evaluation:
Trauma to the ankle is the most common cause of joint fractures, which can include the following:
You cannot always avoid fractures but exercising caution when walking and playing sports can effectively lower your risk.
With less severe fractures, meaning when the bones have not moved too far out of place, your doctor may use a cast or a splint to facilitate recovery. Some people might need the bones re-positioned non-surgically, which involves a process called closed reduction. With more serious ankle fractures, surgery may be needed to reset the bone.