Ankle Fracture
A fracture is a partial or complete break in a bone. Fractures in the ankle can range from the less serious avulsion injuries (small pieces of bone that have been pulled off) to severe shattering-type breaks of the tibia, fibula or both.
Symptoms
An ankle fracture is accompanied by one or all of these symptoms:
Pain at the site of the fracture, which in some cases can extend from the foot to the knee.
Significant swelling, which may occur along the length of the leg or may be more localized.
Blisters may occur over the fracture site. These should be promptly treated by a foot and ankle surgeon.
Bruising that develops soon after the injury.
Inability to walk; however, it is possible to walk with less severe breaks, so never rely on walking as a test of whether or not a bone has been fractured.
Change in the appearance of the ankle—it will look different from the other ankle.
Bone protruding through the skin—a sign that immediate care is needed. Fractures that pierce the skin require immediate attention because they can lead to severe infection and prolonged recovery.
Causes
Ankle fractures are common injuries most often caused by the ankle rolling inward or outward. Many people mistake an ankle fracture for an ankle sprain, but they are quite different and therefore require an accurate and early diagnosis. They sometimes occur simultaneously.
Diagnosis
Ankle fractures are most commonly diagnosed through clinical examination and x-ray. Ottawa rules provide clinicians with a tool to decide whether the joint should be imaged or not. Several classifications exist and are used to determine the severity of injury and management. Examples include the Danis-Weber classification which identifies the level of injury and; the Lauge-Hansen classification which is based on the mechanism of the injury which have predictable patterns and imaging findings.
Risks
Complications of ankle fractures can include reduced range of motion at the ankle and foot joints, as a result of peri-articular and intra-articular adhesions or disruption of articular surfaces. Disruption to articular surfaces may lead to the development of osteoarthritis.