Foot & Ankle Fracture

Fractures in the foot and ankle occur when there’s an injury in any of the bones forming the structure of the foot and ankle. It can be anything from a minor hairline fracture to severe bone breaks causing trauma. Their structure constitutes of multiple bones working together intricately to maintain proper mobility. In case of a fracture, the mobility is compromised, and you suffer from unbearable pain, swelling, and inflammation.

Though the fracture is typically a result of trauma due to injury of any kind, it can also affect people with weak bones, tendons, and ligament in the ankle and foot.

Cause

• Trips and falls
• Over-extending or over-flexing the joint
• Applying excessive force by jumping forcefully
• Blunt force to the foot or ankle with a heavy object

Symptoms

• Redness and tenderness
• Inflammation
• Bruising
• Inability to walk
• Inability to lift weights
• Unbearable pain
• Increased pain when walking or during any physical activity which decreases on rest

Diagnosis

You should see an orthopedist who will diagnose an ankle & foot fracture. The doctor will carry out specific tests to determine the severity of your condition. The tests include:

• Musculoskeletal ultrasound
• X-Rays
• CT Scans
• MRI
• Weight-bearing CT Scan

Treatment

Non-surgical Treatments

When the fracture is moderate and nondisplaced, the orthopedist will use non-surgical treatments to promote gradual healing. The techniques include:

Rest: Taking complete rest after a foot & ankle fracture is a must if you want it to heal faster. Your doctor will provide you with a cast to wear for keeping the foot immobilized.

Ice packs: The doctor will advise you to apply ice packs for around 15-20 minutes over the affected foot every 40 minutes to reduce inflammation and swelling.

Compression: The injury is wrapped to control swelling

Elevation: In this process, you need to keep the injured foot and ankle slightly raised (above the level of your chest) to minimize inflammation.

Surgical Treatments

When the severity of the fracture is high, the orthopedist will go with the surgical methods to heal the bone. There are different kinds of surgery performed based on the condition of the fracture, such as:

Ankle Fracture Fixation Surgery: It is recommended when the foot or ankle is displaced, causing bone misalignment. In the process, the bones are repositioned to their original position using screws, plates, or pins. If needed, the surgeon will also carry out bone grafting to reconstruct tendons and ligaments.

Non-Union Ankle Fracture Surgery: This type of surgery removes the bone infection to stimulate growth and stabilize the fracture.