The ankle acts as one of the main weight-bearing joints of the body as the foot strikes the ground during the gait cycle. The ankle joint is a complex joint and is made up of the talus bone and the distal part of the tibia & fibula. Various ligaments, muscles, tendons and the joint capsule provide the much needed support and stability at the ankle joint.
Causes: Ankle fractures normally occur following a forceful twist during walking, running or sport. The most common twisting injury is when the ankle and foot are rolled inwards – an inversion injury. The fracture is normally associated with mild to extensive ligament and joint capsular damage. Either the talus bone or distal end of the tibia and fibula may fracture depending on the mechanism of the injury and the severity of the incident.
Symptoms & Diagnosis: Severe pain, inflammation, swelling and bruising are normally present following an ankle fracture. Skin discolouration and ankle deformity may be present. Depending on the severity of the fracture, weight bearing may cause severe pain and consequently lead to the inability to walk on the affected leg. The severity of ankle fractures can range from undisplaced or minimally displaced stable fractures which can normally be treated non-operatively, to displaced unstable fractures that may require surgical intervention. In severe cases, the fractured bone may pierce the skin. An X-ray will confirm the type and extent of the fracture.
Management: As required, non-operative management normally involves a support or cast which is worn for a period of time until the fracture is united and stable. In severe cases, an operation may be required to fixate the fracture to allow the bone to heal. Early physiotherapy is recommended to provide rehabilitation to regain full function, proprioception and strength around the joint. A biomechanical assessment may be indicated to exclude any biomechanical implications that may have contributed the injury.
Please feel free to contact the G4 Clinic to speak to a member of the team for any questions that you may have.