

These fractures can either be stress fractures due to overuse or an acute break.
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Contact David Larson, DPM to schedule an appointment for a consultation as soon as possible for full diagnosis. The quicker the fracture is treated effectively by a trained foot and ankle specialist, the better chance you will have of avoiding ankle arthritis in the future. This is why prompt attention to an ankle fracture is important. Therefore, these fractures have a higher risk of arthritis in the future.

Additionally, trimalleolar ankle fractures and pilon fractures have the most cartilage injury. When the number of fracture lines increase, so does the risk of long-term joint damage. It’s important to know that an ankle fracture can be linked to future ankle arthritis. Displaced Ankle Fractureįractured portions of bone are separated or misaligned. This fracture is usually due to trauma such as a fall.įractures will be either nondisplaced or displaced: Nondisplaced Ankle Fractureīones are broken but still in correct position and alignment.

This is a fracture through the weight-bearing “roof” of the ankle (the central portion of the lower tibia). Pilon fracture (also called a plafond fracture) Here there is a break in three sides of the ankle: the medial malleolus of the tibia, as well as the lateral malleolus and posterior malleolus (in the lower portion of the fibula). The second-most common type of fracture where there is a break in both the lateral malleolus and of the medial malleolus, the knobby bump on the inside of the ankle (in the lower portion of the tibia). The Most Common Types of Ankle Fractures Lateral malleolus fractureĪ break of the lateral malleolus, the knobby bump on the outside of the ankle (in the lower portion of the fibula) this is the most common ankle fracture. This bone is separate from the ankle but lies directly beneath the talus. They are also common in the navicular bone. Stress fractures can occur in any of the three ankle bones, especially the tibia or fibula. An active person who quickly increases their activity is also at risk for a stress fracture. They occur most often after a person has begun a new activity that involves significant impact of the foot, such as hiking, running or field sports. Fractures can also be caused by repetitive stress – a stress fracture.Īnkle stress fractures are fairly common. Breaks can also be caused by high-force impact, called a traumatic fracture. These are injuries that involve twisting, turning or rolling while walking or running.

What Causes Foot and Ankle Fractures?Ī common cause of foot and ankle fractures, notably ankle fractures are rotational injuries. These additional tests can help David Larson, DPM understand the full scope of the injury. Other diagnostic tests your doctor may want to order a CT scan or MRI. The first step in determining if it’s a fracture or sprain are X-rays. How Do You Diagnose a Foot or Ankle Fracture? When pain persists, it’s a good idea to see a doctor who specializes in foot and ankle injuries, as a fracture left untreated can cause long-term problems, including ankle arthritis. With a fracture, pain will often be intense when bearing weight. Swelling can also spread to other parts of the foot or up toward the knee. The most common symptoms of a foot or ankle fracture are pain and swelling, which may be present only in the foot or ankle region itself. What are the Symptoms of an Ankle Fracture? Sprains can be in connection with ankle fractures. With an ankle sprain, the ligaments that connect bone to bone to provide stability of the ankle joints have been injured. It is often hard to tell the difference between a break in the foot or ankle and a sprain, as symptoms can be similar. Talus (which is the bone that connects your leg to your foot).The primary bones where we most often see fractures are in the three ankle bones: A broken foot or ankle, or foot or ankle fracture, is a fracture or multiple fractures of one or more of bones in the ankle joint or foot.
