Can you put weight on a broken ankle?

Many people assume that if you can put weight on the ankle then it isn't broken, however, it is possible to walk on a broken ankle, particularly with a less severe fracture. If you're concerned your ankle may be broken, we recommend contacting your doctor, who can conduct an examination or order and xray if necessary.

Can you bear any weight on a broken ankle?

When you experience an ankle fracture, it could feel similar to an ankle sprain. In fact, sometimes you are even able to weight bear with limited discomfort. A more serious ankle fracture often result in the inability to bear weight and can necessitate surgery.

Can I walk on a fractured ankle?

Typically, a minor ankle fracture won't prevent you from walking. You might even be able to walk right after the injury. If you have a serious break, you'll need to avoid walking for a few months. As your ankle gets better, you can slowly return to your usual activities.

What happens if I put weight on my broken ankle?

Putting any weight on an operated foot or ankle can damage the repair that's been done. Bones need time to heal. Plates or screws that may have been added during surgery need the bones to heal around them. Adding weight too soon can interrupt this important internal healing process.

How do you tell if my ankle is broken?

Recover Faster! Must-Do Exercises with Injured Foot or Ankle

How can I tell if my ankle is broken or just sprained?

While swelling is a symptom of both injuries, if your ankle looks clearly “off,” it's most likely because a bone is broken. Does your ankle feel numb? With a sprain, you feel pain. But if you have numbness or tingling, your ankle is most likely broken.

Can you wiggle your toes with a broken ankle?

Most believe that if they can wiggle their toes or move the ankle around that an ankle fracture has not occurred. The reason this is not true is because the nerves and muscles that allow the movement of the ankle have not been affected by the fracture.

How painful is a broken ankle?

If you fractured your ankle, you will likely experience immediate, sharp pain and possible swelling. Additional symptoms include: Pain that spreads throughout the foot and up your leg, toward your knee. Intensifying pain if you try to bear weight on your foot.

Can I walk on my broken ankle after 6 weeks?

For most people, it's after about two to six weeks although it may be less or more depending on the type and severity of your fracture. It's crucial to adhere to your doctor's orders not to put any weight on your leg too early as walking on a broken ankle too early can prevent it from healing.

How long should you elevate a broken ankle?

Ankle Care & Bathing

This is important! Keep your ankle elevated above heart level as much as possible for the first five days, then as needed when symptomatic for up to two weeks. This will prevent painful swelling and promote healing.

What happens if you walk on a broken ankle too soon?

Putting weight on your ankle too soon may mean the bones do not heal properly. You may need to have your duties at work changed if your job requires walking, standing, or climbing stairs. At a certain point, you will be switched to a weight-bearing cast or splint.

Does a fractured ankle need a cast?

A broken bone must be immobilized so that it can heal. In most cases, this requires a special boot or a cast.

Should I keep my walking boot on all day?

You SHOULD keep the boot on while you're laying around the house to prevent bumping the injury and to help the foot heal properly. Listening to your doctor and following the treatment plan will help to get you better and out of the boot faster!

When do you start weight bearing after ankle fracture?

Orthopedic surgeons should feel comfortable progressing patients' weight-bearing status prior to six weeks postoperatively in the setting of rigid ankle ORIF without fear of implant failure or loss of reduction.

How can I walk after breaking my ankle?

After your fractured ankle has healed, your healthcare provider will remove the cast and allow you to bear more weight on your ankle. You may be using an assistive device like a quad cane or crutches to walk. At this point, your physical therapist can fully evaluate your ankle to help provide the proper treatment.

How do I know if my foot is broken or just bruised?

In general, a broken foot tends to be more painful than a sprained foot, and the pain lasts longer. Bruising, swelling, and tenderness are also more severe if your foot is broken. Another way to tell the difference between a broken foot and sprained foot is the sound the body makes when the injury occurs.

Can I take my walking boot off at night?

If supplied, wear the boot for comfort and use crutches when walking. It is ok to take the boot off at night, when resting at home and to wash. Regularly perform the exercises below to get your movement back.

How do I know if my broken ankle is healing?

Most doctors check x-rays to see if bones are healing. The calcified blood clot around the fractured ends of the bones will show up on x-rays and is called “callus”. Callus is just new bone that has formed and grown across the fracture site. It's another sign that the broken bone is healed.

How far can you walk in a walking boot?

How far can you walk in a walking boot? For some injuries, no weight-bearing is allowed with the walking boot (at least at the start of the rehab). But if your injury isn't too bad, you may be allowed to walk as much as you want with the walking boot.

Can I work with a broken ankle?

It takes about six to twelve weeks for a broken ankle to heal, but it make take longer to regain full movement of the lower leg and foot. How soon you can return to work depends on how badly you fractured the ankle and the type of work you do, but you will probably be off for at least four to six weeks.

Can you walk on a hairline fracture?

Many people continue their regular day-to-day schedules with a stress fracture because the pain isn't unbearable like it is with other fractures. For instance, a hairline fracture in your foot may cause difficulty walking, but not so much so that it alerts you to see Dr. Scheffel.

Can a broken ankle heal on its own?

Although minor fractures can heal on their own, more serious fractures will require surgery. If you've experienced a fracture in your foot and/or ankle, you'll need to be treated by an orthopaedic surgeon who has knowledge of the intricate workings of the bones, tendons, ligaments and muscles of the foot and ankle.

How do I know if I need an xray on my ankle?

Tenderness over the bony prominence on either side of the ankle, particularly if it's in the back. Inability to bear any weight for four steps (limping counts as weight-bearing). Tenderness over the outer or inner edge of the foot (where the foot is widest).

Is a sprain more painful than a break?

Sprains can be extremely painful, and are easy to confuse as a break. Many times, they are more painful than a fracture, which has been confirmed by science.

Can walking on a sprained ankle make it worse?

Yes. That's the very short answer. According to the National Association of Athletic Trainers, ankle injuries, including sprains, are very often undertreated. Ignoring treatment, including excessive movement of the ankle through unnecessary walking, leads to a greater risk of worsening the injury.