Ankle Fractures

Who do Ankle Fractures Affect?

An ankle fracture can happen at any age. However, people who engage in extreme sports such as parkour or skate boarding, which puts extra strain on the ankle joints are more likely to suffer this injury. 

As simple slip and fall can also cause an ankle fracture, especially if the bone is weakened by osteoporosis.

How do Ankle Fractures Occur?

The ankle joint is made of three bones that articulate together: 

• tibia, 
• fibula and
• talus. 

If there an unnatural force applied on the joint, it can result in fracture of one or more bones of the joint, resulting in ankle fracture.

Types of Ankle Fractures

Ankle fractures are classified according to the location and type of ankle bone involved. The different types of ankle fractures are:

• Lateral Malleolus fracture in which the lateral malleolus, the outer part of the ankle is fractured.
• Medial Malleolus fracture in which the medial malleolus, the inner part of the ankle, is fractured.
• Posterior Malleolus fracture in which the posterior malleolus, the bony hump of the tibia, is fractured.
• Bimalleolar fractures in which both lateral and medial malleolus bones are fractured
• Trimalleolar fractures in which all three lateral, medial, and posterior bones are fractured.
• Syndesmotic injury, also called a high ankle sprain, is usually not a fracture but a ligament tear that needs stabilisation and can be treated as a fracture.

Non Surgical Treatment for Ankle Fractures

Some fractures are stable and do not require surgery. Especially if there is no displacement or minimal displacement, your surgeon may advise you to have cast treatment. This is often followed by a moonboot.

Surgical Treatment for Ankle Fractures

With surgical treatment, the fractured bone is accessed by making an incision over the ankle area and then specially designed plates are screwed onto the bone, to realign and stabilize the fractured parts.

The incision is then sutured closed and the operated ankle is immobilized with a splint or cast. 

What if Ankle Fractures are Untreated?

If left untreated, the broken ankle joint and its associated excruciating pain will render a person unable to walk and can lead to further damage to surrounding tissue and ligaments, including life-threatening infections if the fracture is of an open nature. 

Improper alignment of the bones in the absence of proper medical care can also cause deformities and eventually arthritis. Pressure on the nerves can result in nerve damage and permanent pain.