Do all ankle fractures need surgery?

Not all broken ankles require surgery, but all broken ankles require some level of care to heal. You probably won't need surgery if you have a stress fracture. You might need a brace or cast to support your ankle while it heals. More serious ankle fractures require reduction or surgery.

What percentage of ankle fractures require surgery?

The most common causes of fractures are falls (37.5 percent), inversion injuries (31.5 percent) and sports-related injuries (10.2 percent). In the United States, approximately 25 percent of the 585,000 ankle fractures annually require surgical intervention.

Does my ankle fracture need surgery?

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.

Can an unstable ankle fracture heal without surgery?

In some patients with significant medical conditions or where an anatomical reduction has been obtained without surgery, it may be possible to treat an unstable ankle fracture non-operatively.

What happens if you don't have surgery on a broken ankle?

When a bone fracture is untreated, it can result in either a nonunion or a delayed union. In the former case, the bone doesn't heal at all, which means that it will remain broken. As a result, swelling, tenderness, and pain will continue to worsen over time.

Ankle fracture / Fractures and its repair- Everything You Need To Know - Dr. Nabil Ebraheim

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 you break a bone in your ankle and still walk?

Broken ankle — can you still walk? 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.

When do you need ankle surgery?

Surgery on an ankle may be needed to treat fracture (broken bone), arthritis, tendonitis and problems that can't be resolved with therapy and medications. Surgery for an ankle fracture is done if the bones in the ankle are unstable and need more support to heal.

Do all unstable fractures need surgery?

Isolated lateral malleolar fractures can be treated with or without surgery, depending on their location and placement. Stable fractures treated without surgery can often be safe for immediate protected (in a boot) weight bearing.

How long does it take for a fractured ankle to heal without surgery?

Outlook. Most simple fractures heal well with immobilization and non-weight-bearing activity. You can expect most ankle fractures depending on how severe they are, to take 4-8 weeks for the bones to heal completely and up to several months to regain full use and range of motion of the joint.

What is worse a fracture or a break?

There's no difference between a fracture and a break. A fracture is any loss of continuity of the bone.

What is the most common ankle fracture?

The most common fracture is to the bony bump on the outside of the ankle, the lateral malleolus. The lateral malleolus is the bottom of the fibula, the smaller lower leg bone. The bump on the inside of your ankle, the medial malleolus, is less commonly fractured.

How long can you wait for ankle surgery?

In conclusion, every effort should be made to operate closed ankle fractures as soon as reasonably possible. A delay of more than one week gives a significant rise in infectious wound complications, which significantly lowers functional outcome and patient satisfaction.

What kind of ankle breaks require surgery?

Not all broken ankles require surgery, but all broken ankles require some level of care to heal. You probably won't need surgery if you have a stress fracture. You might need a brace or cast to support your ankle while it heals. More serious ankle fractures require reduction or surgery.

What is considered a severe ankle fracture?

Trimalleolar Fractures

These are the most severe of ankle fractures and have a poor prognosis. With these fractures, the back of the tibia / shinbone is also broken off. As with bimalleolar ankle fractures, they are the result of an extremely high-energy impact.

Can a fractured fibula heal without surgery?

Surgery may be recommended, but treatment usually starts with a splint or cast to help prevent movement and allow the bone to heal. 8 If possible, your healthcare provider can realign your broken bones without surgery.

Is surgery better than a cast?

Traditional casting techniques are associated with poor fracture alignment and healing, as well as plaster sores. Surgery is often complicated by poor implant fixation, wound problems, and infection.

Is ankle surgery a good idea?

The main advantage of foot and ankle surgery is the alleviation of pain, although there are many other benefits as well, depending on the surgery: Ability to walk, stand and run without pain. Correction of deformity. Improved quality of life, ability to return to normal activities.

Does a Grade 3 ankle sprain require surgery?

A Grade 3 sprain can be associated with permanent instability. Surgery is rarely needed. A short leg cast or a cast-brace may be used for two weeks to three weeks. Rehabilitation is used to help to decrease pain and swelling and to prevent chronic ankle problems.

Is ankle surgery serious?

Ankle replacement surgery is very successful in most cases, but it does have some risks. These include: Infection. Damage to nearby nerves.

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.

How long will my fractured ankle hurt?

Your Recovery

Your doctor fixed a broken (fractured) bone without surgery. You can expect the pain from the bone to get much better almost right after the procedure. But you may have some pain for 2 to 3 weeks and mild pain for up to 6 weeks after surgery.

Can a walking boot make a stress fracture worse?

There are three reasons why a boot may make your stress fracture feel worse: It doesn't fit properly. A boot should be 100% comfortable when you put it on. If it's not, have it checked.

Do ankle stress fractures swell?

Symptoms of Stress Fracture of the Ankle

Pain becomes more severe and occurs during normal daily activities. Swelling on outside of ankle. Tenderness to touch at site of fracture. Possible bruising.