Foot & Ankle Dislocation

The ankle is a joint that connects your lower leg to the foot. The fibula and tibia of the leg are connected with the foot’s talus, forming the ankle’s mortise. It is between the tibia and talus of the ankle where the maximum weight is applied. In a dislocated ankle, the bones forming the joint fail to manage a balanced anatomic relationship. It is related to fractures of the distal ends of the fibula and tibia (also called malleolus).

It is also associated with the ligaments damage that provides support to the ankle joint. In rare cases, ankle dislocation can also be a result of an isolated ligament.

Causes

• Falls
• Motor vehicle accidents
• Sports injuries

Symptoms

• Instant unbearable pain
• Bruising and swelling
• Soreness
• Inability to put pressure on the dislocated foot
• Inability to move the ankle
• Ankle deformity
• Bone poking through the skin

Diagnosis

Your orthopedist will study your symptoms and carry out a physical examination. He will also carry out some imaging tests, such as:

• X-rays
• CT-scan
• MRI

Treatment

Non-surgical Treatments

Pain-relief medications: Your doctor may prescribe some pain killers to reduce the pain and inflammation temporarily.

Bone manipulation: The orthopedist tries moving the fractured bone back to its original position non-surgically.

Ice packs: You should use an ice pack for around 15-20 minutes for at least 3-4 times in a day, keeping your ankle elevated.

Splint or cast: A splint or cast helps to hold the ankle in place after the swelling is under control.

Surgical Treatments

When your ankle or foot fail to respond to non-surgical methods, you need to undergo surgery to treat the dislocated bone. Through reduction surgery, the orthopedist will place the bones back in position to allow them to heal properly. The surgeon may use screws and metal plates to treat the dislocated ankle – called internal fixation.

Make sure you go through the post-surgery rehabilitation to ensure 100% recovery of your ankle. You can book your appointment with us to get hands-on ankle dislocation treatments.