What are the signs of a fractured ankle?

Can you walk on a fractured 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.

Is my ankle sprained or fractured?

But if you have numbness or tingling, your ankle is most likely broken. Where is the pain? If your ankle hurts or is tender to the touch directly over your ankle bone, you probably have a fracture. If the pain is in the soft part of your ankle, it's more likely a sprain.

What does a slightly fractured ankle feel like?

Pain at the fracture site, which may extend from the foot to the knee. Significant swelling, either localized or along the length of the leg. Bruising that appears soon after the injury. Inability to walk, usually a sign of a severe break (it's possible to walk with less severe breaks)

Can you still walk with a hairline fracture in your ankle?

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.

Broken Ankle: How to Identify and Treat Ankle Fractures

How do I know if my ankle pain is serious?

What will they do for a fractured ankle?

If you have a minor ankle break, you might get a walking boot, cast, or splint. If it's serious, you might need surgery to realign the bone. Recovery can take 6 to 12 weeks. Severe ankle breaks that need surgery may take longer.

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 can I tell if I have a hairline fracture in my foot?

Hairline fractures can occur from overuse or repetitive activity. They can be hard to notice, but a dull pain often develops over time. Feelings of pain from light to moderate pressure can indicate a hairline fracture. Pain may be reduced using common painkillers, such as paracetamol.

When do you need to see a doctor for a sprained ankle?

People with a more severe ankle sprain — characterized by extreme bruising or swelling and an inability to bear weight on the foot without significant pain, or when there doesn't seem to be any improvement over the first several days after the injury — should seek medical attention, Drs. SooHoo and Williams say.

Do you need crutches for a sprained ankle?

Your doctor may recommend not putting any weight on the injured area for 48 to 72 hours, so you may need to use crutches. A splint or brace also may be helpful initially. But don't avoid all activity. Even with an ankle sprain, you can usually still exercise other muscles to minimize deconditioning.

What does a torn ligament in ankle feel like?

If you have torn your ankle ligament, symptoms include: Swelling around your ankle joint. A feeling of instability. Bruising – sometimes up your lower leg and into your foot.

Can an ankle fracture 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.

Can you limp on a broken ankle?

While a slight sprain may allow you to limp, most people won't be able to walk without severe pain if the ankle is broken. If you press on the ankle bone, it's unlikely to hurt if you have a sprained ankle, but if you've broken your tibia or fibula, you'll immediately feel pain if you press on these bones.

Does a fractured ankle bruise?

Similar to swelling, bruising accompanies almost every ankle sprain and fracture. Ligaments tend to be located at the tips of the bones in the ankle. Because of this, any bruising will be located around the tips of those bones.

Can you have a fracture without swelling or bruising?

It is common knowledge among orthopaedic surgeons that there may be no external signs of bruising in association with a fracture, and this is one of the many reasons why so much emphasis is placed on marking the limb before surgery.

Can you have a fracture and not know it?

Believe it or not, sometimes people can break bones and not realize it. Emergency room physician Dr. Troy Madsen says some bones are more prone to fractures. Swelling, trouble moving a joint, or lingering pain after a few days can all be indications of a bone fracture.

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).

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.

What happens if broken ankle untreated?

Permanent Nerve Damage

An untreated foot fracture can cause permanent damage to any of these nerves, causing problems such as tingling sensation, difficulty controlling movement, and reduced sensitivity that may no longer subside.

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.

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.

How is an ankle injury diagnosed?

In addition to an ankle X-ray, your doctor may ask for X-rays of the leg and foot to determine whether there may be other related injuries. If the doctor suspects a stress fracture, the doctor will ask for other imaging scans such as an MRI, which will show more detail about the injury.

Can I call out of work for a sprained ankle?

A lot of people struggle with the idea of taking time off work for a simple ankle injury and unless your job has a high physical demand for moving, lifting, climbing, and so on you should actually be alright to go in as soon as your doctor has confirmed that there are no fractures or major tears in your tendons that ...

How is a sprained ankle diagnosed?

During a physical, your doctor will examine your ankle, foot and lower leg. The doctor will touch the skin around the injury to check for points of tenderness and move your foot to check the range of motion and to understand what positions cause discomfort or pain.