Common Foot and Ankle Problems & Treatments
Fractures

General Information

A fracture is a partial or complete break in bone. A fracture may have a specific pattern, such as an avulsion fracture (small piece of bone pulled from a larger bone) to comminuted fracture (a shattered bone), and may be described as closed (where the skin is intact over the broken bone) or open (where the broken bone is exposed). Fractures are caused by trauma (or injury), insufficiency (weakened bone as in osteoporosis), or stress (overuse).

How are fractures diagnosed?

If you suspect a fracture, it is important to see a doctor for evaluation as soon as possible. Until evaluation, limited weightbearing to the injured limb as well as following RICE (rest, ice, elevation, and use of light compressive wrap to reduce painful swelling) are recommended. A podiatrist, or foot and ankle specialist, will perform a careful clinical history and exam, and x-rays (usually performed in the doctor’s office) will be taken to determine fracture type and location, which will guide further treatment.  

What are the symptoms?

  • Immediate and severe pain with the inability to bear weight to the foot.
  • Bruising and swelling.
  • Tenderness to touch.
  • Deformity, particularly if there is a dislocation of the broken bone.

Causes and effects of a broken ankle

Any one of the three bones that make up the ankle joint could break as the result of a fall, an automobile accident or some other trauma to the ankle.

A broken ankle may also cause damage to the ligaments.

Because a severe sprain can often mask the symptoms of a broken ankle, every injury to the ankle should be examined.

How are fractures diagnosed?

If you suspect a fracture, it is important to see a doctor for evaluation as soon as possible. Until evaluation, limited weightbearing to the injured limb as well as following RICE (rest, ice, elevation, and use of light compressive wrap to reduce painful swelling) are recommended. A podiatrist, or foot and ankle specialist, will perform a careful clinical history and exam, and x-rays (usually performed in the doctor’s office) will be taken to determine fracture type and location, which will guide further treatment.  

 

Treatment

Treatment for a broken ankle

Options include a leg cast or brace, if the fracture is stable.

If the ligaments are also torn, or if the fracture created a loose fragment of bone that could irritate the joint, surgery may be required to "fix" the bones together, so that they will heal properly.