• The ankle is a hinge type The ankle is a hinge type joint that connects the leg joint that connects the leg to the foot. It consists of the to the foot. It consists of the tibia, fibula and the talus. tibia, fibula and the talus.

• An ankle fracture is a break An ankle fracture is a break of one or more of the bones of one or more of the bones that make up the ankle. that make up the ankle.

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 your surgeon. Bruising, which 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 a bone has been fractured.

Change in the appearance of the ankle so that it differs from the other ankle.

• Ankle fractures result when the ankle is Ankle fractures result when the ankle is forced inward or outward past its normal forced inward or outward past its normal range of motion. range of motion.

This can occur when:This can occur when:• jumping , running athlete lands on an jumping , running athlete lands on an

uneven surface.uneven surface.• foot is firmly planted and the body gets foot is firmly planted and the body gets

twisted. twisted.

Sports most commonly associated with ankle Sports most commonly associated with ankle fractures include: fractures include:

• Basketball, Football, Baseball and SoccerBasketball, Football, Baseball and Soccer

• Taping, bracing, and high Taping, bracing, and high top shoes may help top shoes may help prevent some ankle prevent some ankle fractures.fractures.

• Maintaining excellent Maintaining excellent ankle muscle strength and ankle muscle strength and balance will also help.balance will also help.

Surgery is often needed to stabilize ankle fractures. Usually, the surgery involves the placement of screws and plates.

The patient then is placed in a cast or splint after surgery for a variable period of time depending on the severity of the fracture. This can range from a few days to 2 weeks until the swelling goes down around the joint.

Weight bearing may be delayed until there is evidence of early fracture healing. This may take 4-8 weeks depending on the severity of the fracture.

Cost: $27,848 Open treatment of ankle dislocation, with or without skeletal fixation; with repair or internal or external fixation

1. Incision of the ankle to expose joint

2. The joint is fixed with a plate

3. Screws are drilled in to keep the plate in place

4. Screws and checked and tightened

5. Incision is closed together with stitches.

– Physical Therapy and Home ExercisesPhysical Therapy and Home Exercises– Strengthening exercises will help muscle Strengthening exercises will help muscle

around bone grow back so you can around bone grow back so you can become strong enough to walk without a become strong enough to walk without a limp.limp.

– Consistency is keyConsistency is key

OriginOrigin

People who smoke, have diabetes, or are elderly are at a higher risk for complications after surgery, including problems with wound healing. This is because it may take longer for their bones to heal.

General surgical risks include:Infection Bleeding Pain Blood clots in your leg Damage to blood vessels, tendons, or nerves

Normal Ankle X-ray Fractured Ankle X-ray Surgery with Plate and Screw

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qKeJd0j2J4E (fibula fracture, similar to ankle surgery, clearer view)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LPG4LoiWFx0 (ankle fracture surgery)

BibliographyBibliography

• www.emedx.comwww.emedx.com 2009 2009

• http://www.emedicinehealth.com/ankhttp://www.emedicinehealth.com/ankle_fracture/page7_em.htmle_fracture/page7_em.htm 20092009

• http://www.footphysicians.com/footahttp://www.footphysicians.com/footankleinfo/ankle-fracture.htmnkleinfo/ankle-fracture.htm. . 20082008

• http://orthoinfo.aaos.org/topic.cfm?tohttp://orthoinfo.aaos.org/topic.cfm?topic=A00391pic=A00391 20092009

• Fractures of the Foot and Ankle: Diagnosis Fractures of the Foot and Ankle: Diagnosis and Treatment of Injury and Diseaseand Treatment of Injury and DiseaseBy: Informa Healthcare 2005By: Informa Healthcare 2005