Ankle Fracture: Causes, Symptoms, Treatment and Cost

An ankle fracture is a break of one of more bones located in the ankle joint. These bones include the fibula, tibia and talus, which are all connected to create the ankle joint. Ankle fractures can range from minor splinter-like cracks or breaks in the bone to severe breaks where the bone fragments into multiple pieces and cause displacement of bone fragments.

• Avulsion fractures: When a tendon pulls off a piece of bone.
• Stress fractures: Small cracks in the bone due to overuse or repetitive stress.
• Fracture dislocation: A fracture that occurs when the joint moves out of its normal position, causing damage to the ligaments and tendons around it.
• Compound fractures: When the bone breaks and punctures through the skin, exposing it to air and increasing risk of infection.
• Torus (or buckle) fractures: A type of fracture characterized by a single break on one side of the bone, creating an outward 'buckling' effect on the opposite side of the bone.

• Ankle fractures can be caused by a variety of factors, including direct trauma to the ankle, twisting or rolling the ankle, and sudden stops or changes in direction.
• Repetitive stress on the ankle joint, such as running or jumping, can also increase the risk of an ankle fracture.
• Other factors that may lead to an ankle fracture include weak bones due to conditions such as osteoporosis and weakened ligaments due to ankle instability.

• Sudden, sharp pain or a popping feeling when the injury occurs.
• Inability to bear weight, bruising and swelling around the ankle joint.
• Tenderness and pain when pressing around the ankle joint or applying pressure on the injured area.
• Limited range of motion and reduced ability to move the ankle forwards and backwards or side to side.
• Visible deformity or misalignment of the foot if bones in the ankle have shifted out of place due to a fracture.

• Wear proper footwear for activities: Choose shoes that have good ankle support, provide a good grip, and fit correctly.
• Strengthen the ankle muscles: Stretching and strengthening exercises can help improve balance, flexibility, and strength in the ankles.
• Avoid surfaces that are uneven or slippery: Reduce your risk of ankle sprains by avoiding walking on uneven or slippery surfaces.
• Take breaks when participating in strenuous physical activities: Give your ankles an occasional break by stopping every few minutes during a workout or other physical activity.
• Make sure to warm up before doing sports or exercise activities: Stretch or jog slowly to help prevent sprains and other injuries due to overexertion.

• Physical examination: This typically involves palpation, range of motion testing, and special tests such as the Ottawa ankle rules.
• X-rays: To determine the type of fracture and any associated displacement, displacement can change the degree to which a patient relies on surgical correction.
• MRI or CT scans may be used to confirm the diagnosis and to further evaluate the structure damage done to ligaments around the joint, if indicated.
• Blood tests may be ordered in order to check for any signs of infection or inflammation within the joint that may have been caused by a bone fragment or tear in a ligament.
• Bone scans can detect any areas that have an increased amount of blood supply which could indicate a fracture or imperfection in bone architecture due to a microscopic crack or other issues due to excessive physical stress or bacteria infections.
• Pressure taping: This is performed by wrapping adhesives directly around your ankle joints and pinching off circulation which causes pain when applied on sensitive areas that possibly undergo tiny fractures because of repeated activities like running on uneven surfaces during sports activity, etc..
• CT Scan : Allows clearly visible images for detecting more complex fractures & also helps assess nerve injury which comes along with this sort of injuries following falls & casualties.
• Ultrasound Scan: Less costly than CT Scans mainly used for soft tissue ruptures while providing image details such as abnormalities present near tendons related with ankles injuries.
• Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI): MRI scan provides superior imaging quality used specially when diagnosis has failed previously detects small damages & signs surrounding ankle area compensates if accident went unnoticed initially one time investment would always be worth it when it comes down dealing serious medical conditions such acute ankeles / feet fractures will help in availing life long relief after healing process!

• Immediate complications include pain and swelling, with possible instability of the ankle joint.
• Delayed complications include chronic ankle pain and stiffness due to formation of scar tissue, joint contracture, poor healing of fractures, or avascular necrosis (loss of blood flow to the bone).
• Post-traumatic arthritis can occur if fragments are left in the joint after healing is complete, resulting in decreased mobility and increased pain.
• Additionally, there is a risk for nerve damage or rupture of ligaments as well as a higher risk for re-injury once full range of motion has been restored due to weakened muscles and connective tissues around the affected area.

• Applying warm oil massage to the injured area
• Applying warm compresses to reduce swelling
• Taking poultices made from herbs like turmeric and ginger, which have anti-inflammatory properties
• Consuming nourishing foods like milk, ghee and nuts to promote bone health
• Taking herbs like ashwagandha, shatavari and amalaki to promote healing of the fractured bones
• Drinking herbal teas made with adaptogenic herbs such as ashwagandha, licorice and guduchi to reduce inflammation and support healing

• Calcium-rich food: Eating food rich in calcium is important for bone health, and this includes foods like dairy products, dark leafy greens, and nuts.
• Protein-rich food: Eating protein can help the body repair itself after an injury or fracture. Good sources of protein include chicken, fish, eggs, nuts and seeds, beans, and legumes.
• Vitamin C-rich food: Vitamin C helps the body build collagen which is important for promoting healing after a fracture. Sources of vitamin C include citrus fruits such as oranges and grapefruits as well as strawberries, kiwi fruit , bell peppers , broccoli , Brussels sprouts , and papaya .
• Iron-rich food: Iron helps facilitate oxygen transport within the body which is necessary for healing bones after a fracture. Seafood, lean meats like beef and pork , lentils , spinach , kale , nuts and seeds are all good sources of iron .
• Zinc-rich foods: Zinc helps promote wound healing since it plays an important role in cell growth processes involved in tissue repair . Sources of zinc include red meat, shellfish such as oysters or mussels; poultry such as chicken or turkey; legumes like chickpeas ; venison ; eggs; etc.

• Unprocessed or refined sugars: Sugary foods, such as candy, cookies, and soft drinks can increase inflammation and soreness in the ankle joint.
• Salt: Too much salt can cause inflammation, swelling, and discomfort in the ankle and should be avoided.
• Spicy foods: Foods that contain a lot of spices such as chili peppers or jalapeno peppers can irritate the muscles, tendons, and ligaments around the ankle joint.
• Alcohol: Drinking alcohol can lead to dehydration which will worsen any swelling or pain caused by an ankle fracture.
• Fried foods: Fried food is high in fat which can cause inflammation in the body that could aggravate an existing ankle fracture pain.

• Casting: When fractures are stable and in a good alignment, a cast can be used to keep the bones in place while they heal. The cast is usually made of plaster or fiberglass and is applied to the lower leg and foot.
• Physical therapy: After casting or surgery, physical therapy is often used to help restore range of motion, strength, and flexibility in the ankle joint. Physical therapists may use various techniques such as stretching, strengthening exercises, electrical stimulation, ultrasound therapy, and massage to help patients recover from their ankle fracture more quickly.
• Bracing: Bracing may also be used after a fracture has healed to help support the joint and prevent future injuries. A brace can be worn while doing activities that put strain on the ankle joint such as running or playing sports.
• Open Reduction and Internal Fixation: This procedure involves making an incision in the skin to expose the fractured bone, and realigning it with metal screws, plates, or pins to hold it in place.
• Arthrodesis (Fusion): Fusion, also called arthrodesis, involves surgically removing bone debris and tightly packing bone grafts around the joint to fuse it together.
• Osteotomy: An osteotomy is a surgical procedure that removes a small portion of bone in order to correct alignment or relieve pressure on the joint.
• External Fixation: External fixation involves stabilizing two or more pieces of broken bones with rods and screws while outside of the body using an external frame or brace attached to the skin with pins.

An ankle fracture is typically treated by an orthopedic surgeon.

Orthopedic surgeons are medical doctors who specialize in the diagnosis and treatment of disorders of the muscles, bones, joints, ligaments and tendons.

• Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs): These drugs reduce swelling, pain, and inflammation. Examples include ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) and naproxen (Aleve).
• Steroids: These drugs reduce inflammation and swelling. Examples include prednisone, methylprednisolone (Medrol), and dexamethasone (Decadron).
• Analgesics: These drugs reduce pain. Examples include acetaminophen (Tylenol) and opioids such as codeine or morphine.
• Antibiotics: These drugs are used to prevent or treat any bacterial infections that may occur after an ankle fracture. Examples include ciprofloxacin (Cipro) or ampicillin/sulbactam (Unasyn).
• Muscle Relaxants: These drugs reduce muscle spasms in the area of the fracture which can cause pain or interfere with healing process. Examples include baclofen or diazepam (Valium).
• Bisphosphonates: These drugs help to restore bone strength by promoting new bone cells to replace those damaged in the fracture site more quickly than would happen otherwise

It typically takes around 6-12 weeks for an ankle fracture to heal.

If a surgical intervention is required, healing could take up to 2 months.

Generally speaking, full recovery from an ankle fracture can take up to 3 months or longer depending on severity of injury and closely monitored treatment plan.

Generally, treatments for an ankle fracture can cost between Rs. 10,000 to 30,000 depending on whether it is a partial or a complete fracture.

If surgery is required to fix the fracture then costs can go up to Rs 70,000 or more.

Other associated costs such as X-rays fees and doctor’s consultation charges vary from city to city but should be factored into the overall cost calculation.

Fracture treatment typically involves immobilization and rest of the ankle joint. This has potential side effects on strength, stability, and flexibility of the ankle area which can occur due to decreased range of motion and lack of activity during healing.

Another possible side effect is arthritic changes occurring in areas near a fracture site due to chronic pain, stiffness and immobility impacting range of motion after healing.

There is also a chance that complications like nerve damage or blood vessel tearing may happen due to surgical interventions; these will be depicted as numbness or tingling sensations at affected areas post-surgery which can take several weeks to heal and therefore require periodic tracking while it heals without forming any other medical conditions simultaneously.

Ankle Fracture is a break or crack in one or more of the bones that make up the ankle joint. It typically occurs when the ankle joint is twisted or turned in an unnatural direction. Symptoms include pain, swelling, tenderness, and difficulty walking or bearing weight on the affected ankle. Treatment may include immobilization with a cast or brace, medications to reduce pain and inflammation, physical therapy to improve strength and range of motion, and surgical repair in severe cases.