Have you broken your ankle too? (Ankle Fracture) - Let's find out exactly what this is!

Oh my! Did your leg suddenly roll over while going down the stairs or playing cricket? Does your ankle hurt a lot now? After a while, the area is swollen, blue, and you can't even put it down? You're probably wondering if this is just a sprain, or if there's a bone broken inside (fracture). In fact, the main cause of ankle pain is a fracture of the ankle. So let's talk about this, exactly, simply.

First, let's see, what is this ankle joint?

Okay, this is very simple. Your ankle joint is made up of three main bones that come together. It's like the three legs of a chair, which keep this joint strong.

• Tibia: This is the large, thick bone in your leg below the knee. It's also called the "shin bone" when we talk about it.
• Fibula: This is the thin, thin bone on the outside, parallel to the big bone.
• Talus: This is the small but very important bone that connects your leg and foot. It's like a bridge between the two upper bones and the foot.

These three bones come together to form your ankle joint. Now you understand, if one or more of these bones break, we call it an " ankle fracture ." Sometimes these breaks can be very minor. But some serious breaks require surgery. It can take anywhere from a few weeks to a year to fully heal.

There are several ways to break an ankle bone!

Even though we say "broken leg," there are many ways it can happen. Doctors classify these according to the type of bone that is broken and the location of the break. Let's look at the main types.

What are the symptoms of an ankle fracture?

The symptoms of an ankle sprain are usually easy to recognize, but sometimes they can be very similar to those of a normal sprain.

• Sudden, severe pain: Unbearable pain occurs immediately after the accident.
• Inability to put your foot down: You feel extreme pain when you try to stand with weight on your feet.
• Pain when touched: The pain increases when you gently press the broken bone with your hand.
• Swelling: Shortly after the accident, the area around the ankle begins to swell considerably.
• Bruising: Bleeding from within the skin can cause the area to turn blue or purple.
• Deformity: In some severe cases, the ankle may become deformed and appear to be stretched.

How can an ankle be broken?

Just think, many things we do in our daily lives can cause this kind of accident.

• Falls: Falling from a height, such as from stairs or a chair, or simply slipping while walking is a major cause.
• Leg rolling: Suddenly rolling the leg in or out while walking or running on a potholed road.
• Sports accidents: These accidents are especially common in sports that involve sudden changes of direction and jumping, such as cricket, football, and netball.
• Car accidents: A direct impact to the leg during a vehicle collision can break bones.
• Direct impact: This can happen even from something as simple as a heavy object falling on your leg.

How do you find this, Doctor?

When you go to a doctor, the first thing he or she does is ask you about how the accident happened. Then they examine your leg. They look carefully for any painful areas, swelling, or changes in shape.

Then, if there is any suspicion of a fracture, several tests will definitely be done to confirm the diagnosis.

• X-ray: This is the most important and essential test. An X-ray can clearly show if a bone is broken, where it is broken, and if any bone fragments are displaced.
• CT Scan: In some complex fractures, your doctor may recommend a CT scan to get a closer look at the inside of the joint.
• MRI Scan: An MRI scan may be necessary if there is suspicion of severe damage to ligaments or soft tissues in addition to a fracture.

How is an ankle fracture treated?

Treatment depends on the type of fracture, its severity, and your general health. Not all fractures require surgery.

Cases where surgery is not required

If your bone is broken but the pieces are not displaced (a non-displaced fracture) , surgery is often not needed. In this case, your doctor will immobilize your leg and give the bone time to heal on its own. This is done using the following:

• Cast: A cast is placed up to or below the knee to keep the leg immobile.
• A special shoe (Walking Boot/Brace): For some minor fractures, a special removable boot or brace may be used.

Cases where surgery is required

If the bone fragments have moved out of place in the accident (a displaced fracture) , they will need to be put back in their original position and fixed. Otherwise, the ankle joint will not heal properly, and problems like arthritis may occur in the future.

• Closed Reduction: This is when the bone fragments are brought back into place without surgery, using manual pressure from the outside. This is done with numbing. Then a plaster is applied to keep them in place.
• Surgery (Open Reduction and Internal Fixation - ORIF): If the bone fragments are too far apart, or the joint is unstable, surgery is performed to open the skin, move the bone fragments into the correct positions, and fix them with small metal plates and screws. These are placed inside the body. This is done to keep the bones from moving until they are properly aligned and heal.

When should I seek immediate medical attention?

If you have an ankle injury, and you have certain symptoms, you should see a doctor or go to the nearest hospital's Emergency Department (ETU) without delay.

After surgery or a cast...

Even after treatment, keep an eye out for these symptoms:

• If the swelling increases.
• If there is any inflammation, swelling, or increased pain inside the plaster.
• If you have a fever, feel cold, or have pus coming out of the surgical wound (these are signs of infection).

If you experience anything like this, immediately call the doctor who treated you or go to the hospital.

How long does it take for a broken ankle to heal?

There is no exact time frame for this. It varies from person to person and depending on the nature of the breakup.

• A minor fracture that does not require surgery usually heals completely in about 12-16 weeks .
• In the case of a complex fracture that requires surgery , it can take up to a year or two for the ankle to regain its normal function.

During this healing period, you will need to wear a cast, use crutches, and keep your leg off the ground. This may take months. This is a time when you need to be patient. It is very important to follow the instructions given by your doctor and physiotherapist exactly.

ankle fracture, ankle pain, ankle surgery, cast, broken bone, ankle swelling