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Ankle Fractures
A fall, an accident, or a hard blow may cause
one or more bones in the ankle to fracture or break. Depending on the
type of injury, an ankle may fracture in several ways. Spiral fractures
may result from twisting injuries. If bone pulls away from bone, the
break is often straight. After a bad fall, or a heavy blow, bone may be
crushed. Although ankle fractures tend to cause pain, you may be able
to walk on the ankle. However, this is not a good idea. Your physician
should check any injured ankle. Treatment Your
treatment depends on where and how badly your ankle has been broken.
Your physician will feel your ankle and foot for swelling and any
displaced bones. He or she may also check to see if the ankle joint
still moves. Depending on how the injury occurred, your physician may
examine your leg from the knee down. X-rays will be taken to show the
type of break, its exact location, and the extent of the damage. After
a fracture, a cast may be used to hold the bone in its proper position
for healing. Sometimes the sections of broken bone must first be
realigned. This is called reduction. The type of reduction is based on
how far the bone has moved from its normal position. Closed Reduction If
you have a clean break with little soft tissue damage, closed reduction
may be used. Before the procedure, you may be given a light anesthetic
to relax your muscles. Then your doctor manually readjusts the position
of the broken bone. Open Reduction If
you have an open fracture (bone sticking out through the skin), badly
misaligned sections of bone, or severe tissue injury, an open reduction
will be used. A general anesthetic may be used during the procedure to
let you sleep and relax your muscles. Your doctor then makes one or
more incisions to realign the bone and repair soft tissues. Screws or
plates may be used to hold the bone in place during healing. Casting a Fracture To
make sure the bone is aligned properly, an x-ray is taken. The ankle is
then put in a cast to hold the bone in place during healing. You will
probably have to wear the cast for 4 to 8 weeks. For less severe
fractures, a walking boot, brace, or splint may be all that is needed
to hold the bone in place during healing. Once
your fracture has been treated, your physician will tell you how to
help it heal. You may be told to limit your use, take medications, and
elevate the foot. If you have a cast, remember to keep it dry. To
reduce swelling and control pain, elevate the ankle above the level of
your heart. This simple action can help control symptoms throughout
your recovery. Protect your ankle by giving it
enough time to heal. When you do become active again, expect some
swelling and stiffness. To build strength and help avoid re-injury,
your physician may prescribe physical therapy or home exercise. Ankle
support may also help. Exercise increases the flexibility of your
ankle. If your physician agrees, try the following exercise. Use your
foot to write out the alphabet in the air. Be sure to work from the
ankle and foot, not from the knee.
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