IF YOU HAVE {or Think You Have) AN ANKLE FRACTURE CALL FOR AN IMMEDIATE APPOINTMENT TO AVOID DELAY IN TREATMENT !!! (We will squeeze you in)
ANKLE FRACTURES
There are ankle fractures and there are ANKLE FRACTURES!!! Depending on the type of injury and fracture pattern. Some ankle fractures can be treated with a cast or a light weight brace and heal in 6-8 weeks without out any problems. Other fractures may require outpatient surgery and leave you on crutches for 2-8 weeks with an increased possiblity of suffering from post-traumatic arthritis and stiffness.
These are decisions that need to be evaluated and discussed with your orthopedic surgeon to determine the best course of action.
There is a optimum window of opportunity to make a decision as to whether a certain fracture shcan be treated with cast/bracing vs. surgery this is aprox. 14-16 days.
Nonsurgical Treatment
You may not require surgery if your ankle is stable, meaning the broken bone is not out of place or just barely out of place. A stress x-ray may be done to see if the ankle is stable. The type of treatment required may also be based on where the bone is broken.
Several different methods are used for protecting the fracture while it heals. ranging from a high-top tennis shoe to a short leg cast. Some physicians let patients put weight on their leg right away, while others have them wait for 6 weeks.
You will see your physician regularly to repeat your ankle x-rays to make sure the fragments of your fracture have not moved out of place during the healing process.
Surgical Treatment
If the fracture is out of place or your ankle is unstable, your fracture may be treated with surgery. During this type of procedure, the bone fragments are first repositioned (reduced) into their normal alignment. They are held together with special screws and metal plates attached to the outer surface of the bone. In some cases, a screw or rod inside the bone may be used to keep the bone fragments together while they heal.
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