Ankle Fractures

In some cases, ankle pain may be the result of a fracture. However, ankle fracture is often difficult to detect. In most cases, patients seek medical attention due to ankle pain that they may attribute to an ankle sprain, only to discover that a fracture is present after x-ray. Fortunately, the expert ankle doctors and surgeons here at the Ankle Arthritis Institute use the latest techniques to detect and treat ankle fractures, no matter how severe.

Causes of Ankle Fractures

The ankle joint is formed at the articulation of three main bones: the tibia and fibula of the leg, and the talus. The tibia and fibula are the bones of the lower leg. On the far ends of either bone are the malleoli, the parts of the bones that protrude outward on either side of your ankles. Together, they form an arch on top of the talus. The entire joint is encased within a fibrous membrane and stabilized by a series of ligaments.

Simply put, ankle injuries occur when the stress placed on the joint exceeds the strength of its elements. When the bones of your ankle endure more stress than they can handle, the result is ankle fractures. And because your ankles support the vast majority of your body weight, they are more likely to suffer fractures than other joints.

Common causes of ankle fractures include:

• rolling the ankle
• twisting the ankle      
• over flexing/extending joint
• or severe impact

Ankle Fracture Treatment

If you have pain or swelling of the ankle, especially if you are unable to put weight on the joint, contact our ankle doctors and surgeons to make an appointment with one of our ankle pain specialists today. They can perform the necessary diagnostic tests to assess your ankle fracture and find the course of treatment that's best for you. This may include placing a splint or cast, regenerative medicine therapy, or cutting-edge surgical techniques. Whatever your needs, the ankle doctors at the Ankle Arthritis Institute are here to offer you the compassionate care you deserve.