Ankle Fracture
About Broken Ankles
Ankle fractures range from small cracks in the bone to the cracks that have separated the bones apart. If you think you have a broken ankle, seek immediate care from a podiatrist. The foot includes 33 joints, more than 100 muscles, and 26 bones varying in size, and dealing with such fractures can be trick, depending on the severity of the break and the patient’s foot condition. Ankle fractures are very common in athletes and can happen to anyone as a result of a misstep. Below are listed some of the causes for ankle fractures-
- Severely twisting or rolling the ankle in and out
- Overextension
- Bad shoes or footwear
- Overuse
- Direct force on or any side of foot and ankle
- Simultaneous tearing of ligaments
- Jumping from heights
Meet our podiatrists
Each of our doctors completed surgical residency training, so you get skilled care for everything from heel pain to foot and ankle surgery at our Gurnee office.
Dr. Audey Nasser, DPM
Double board-certified podiatrist
Bunion and hammertoe correction, tendon repair, and home, assisted living and nursing home visits.
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Dr. Krishna Tikiwala, DPM
Podiatrist trained at a Level 1 trauma center
Sports injuries and trauma, pediatric foot conditions, and wound care with diabetic limb salvage.
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Dr. Manali Chingre, DPM
Board-qualified foot and ankle surgeon
Heel pain and plantar fasciitis, flatfeet and tendon disorders, and foot and ankle surgery.
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Start living pain-free again
Treatment for Ankle Injuries
Ankle injuries are common, and like all bone injuries, if they are not given proper care they can cause a high degree of pain and the inability to walk. The location of cracks and fractures are determined with the help of X-Rays. The type of fracture and inability to walk determines what treatment needs to be given. A podiatrist helps determine what types of treatment should be used and estimate recovery time. If your bones are not aligned properly, the doctor may recommend splints or casts to realign the bones. Surgery may be an option depending upon the condition. An operation may also be recommended if any bone is broken through the skin. These more serious injuries, known as “compound fractures,” require additional care.
Depending upon the degree of the pain the patient is experiencing, the doctor may prescribe medicine to reduce pain and swelling. Be careful in all activities and wear the right shoes for the right activity will help preserve your feet and reduce the risk of ankle fractures. It is recommended that with an injured foot or ankle you must not bear weight until a doctor has examined the injury.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can you walk on an ankle fracture?
A: Ankle fractures vary in the amount of damage to the bone. Tiny fractures in the ankle probably won’t prevent you from walking, but you risk doing more damage. More serious breaks, like open fractures where the bone breaks through the skin, will require several months of healing with no weight on the foot.
Q: How to tell the difference between sprained ankle and broken ankle?
A: Sprained ankles and broken ankles both lead to swelling, bruising, and ankle pain so it is best to get an x-ray to determine the severity of the injury. However, consider the following factors: If the ankle is crooked or at an angle, if the pain is on the bone, or if the injured person heard a crack at the time of injury and is in immediate severe pain, it could be broken. If the pain is in the muscle, and/or the injured person heard a popping noise and the pain increases as time goes by, you may be dealing with a sprain.
Q: Do you need a cast for a fractured ankle?
A: In most cases of a broken bone in the ankle, the foot will need to be kept still to heal properly. This usually requires a cast and a boot.
Q: Does insurance cover ankle fracture treatment?
A: Fracture care is generally considered medically necessary, but what you pay depends on your plan, your deductible, and whether imaging, casting, or surgery is needed. Some plans require authorization for surgical care. Our team can explain how your visit is billed, and your insurer can confirm benefits and referral requirements. Visit our insurance page for more information on which plans we accept.
Q: Can I be seen the same day for a suspected fracture?
A: Yes. A suspected fracture is urgent, so we accept walk-ins during regular office hours and try to see these patients the same day. Call (847) 295-9300 before you arrive so our team can prepare. If there is an open wound, obvious deformity, or numbness in the foot, go to an emergency room.
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