Broken Ankle Surgery for Different Types of Ankle Breaks
A broken ankle is a painful, common condition where there is a break in one or more bones in the ankle joint.
Ankle fractures are classified according to their location. The different types of ankle fractures are:
- Lateral Malleolus fracture is when the outer part of the ankle is fractured. This is the most common type of ankle fracture.
- Medial Malleolus fracture is when the medial malleolus, the inner part of the ankle, is fractured.
- Posterior Malleolus fracture is when the bony hump of the tibia is fractured.
- Bimalleolar fractures are when both lateral and medial malleolus bones are fractured.
- Trimalleolar fractures are when all three lateral, medial, and posterior bones are fractured.
- Non-displaced ankle fracture, is also known as stable fractures, and occurs when the broken bones remain in correct position and alignment.
- Displaced ankle fracture, also known as an unstable fracture, happens when fractured portions of bone are separated or misaligned. This kind of fracture can involve the ligaments that hold the joint together, the joint surfaces themselves, or a combination of both.
What Are the treatment options for ankle fractures?
The treatment of an ankle fracture depends upon the type and the severity of the fractured bone.
Non-surgical treatment involves realigning the ankle bone and placing special splints or a plaster cast around the joint for at least 2-3 weeks. Surgical treatment involves making an incision over the ankle area, and then screwing specially designed plates onto the bone to realign and stabilize the fractured parts.
What Happens After Broken Ankle Surgery?
After Broken Ankle Surgery, the patient will be instructed to avoid putting weight on the ankle by using crutches for at least six weeks.
The patient will be advised to perform physical therapy of the ankle joint for two to three months before returning to normal daily activities.
What Are the Risks and Complications of Broken Ankle Surgery?
As with any major surgery, there are potential risks and complications involved with Broken Ankle Surgery, including infection, dislocation of the ankle, damage to nerves or blood vessels, blood clots (DVT or deep venous thrombosis), loosening of artificial components, failure to relieve pain, instability, and stiffness.
If left untreated, a broken ankle can lead to major issues down the road. Don’t try to ignore the pain or “tough it out.” Let us see if Broken Ankle Surgery may be right for you.