Ankle Injuries

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Fracture Treatment

In many cases, an ankle fracture must be set. To set a broken ankle, the physician requests a series of x-rays to determine the nature and position of the fracture and what corrective actions to take. Uncomplicated simple fractures may require little more than carefully refitting the broken bone's ends together. If the wound is displaced, or open, antibiotics are prescribed to prevent infection.

After the ankle is immobilized with a rigid cast, the patient is given a pair of crutches to keep weight off the injured foot. The broken bone gradually heals, and in most cases, the patient can begin light walking and rehabilitative therapy in 8 to 12 weeks.

Simple fractures may require surgery to reset the bone. Surgery can be extensive if the fracture is comminuted. Repositioning the shattered fragments can be like fitting together pieces of a jigsaw puzzle. Screws, metal plates, pins, or staples may be used to stabilize the pieces in position so healing can progress. The object is to restore the joint as closely as possible to its original configuration.

Complications

Patients who develop arthritis as a result of an ankle injury generally receive anti-inflammatory drugs to relieve swelling and pain. However, the degenerative nature of the condition sometimes results in the need for surgery.

Surgery may involve trimming away damaged synovial tissue, smoothing out rough-worn cartilage, and removing fragments of cartilage or bone from the joint. Whenever possible, the procedure is performed arthroscopically, using a narrow, flexible, fiber-optic viewing tube called an arthroscope that enables the surgeon to see inside ankle and work with precision.

In severe arthritic conditions resulting from multiple fractures, bone fusion may be performed. Affected joints are fastened together with surgical screws or rods so they eventually grow together and become one larger bone. This procedure eliminates the joint and the motion that causes the pain. However, the patient is left with a noticeably stiff-legged gait. Trading limited mobility for pain reduction is usually a last resort.

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