Fracture of the ankles: causes, symptoms and treatment

Fracture of the ankles is the most common injury, in which the bones of the ankle are damaged. An important factor in determining this deviation is the timely access to the doctor. It is worth noting that, according to external signs, a fracture of the ankles is difficult to distinguish from a banal sprain. In connection with this, such trauma requires careful examination and the use of radiography for more accurate diagnosis.

As is known, the ankle joint consists of three interconnected bones, which bear the following names: peroneus, tibial and talus.

Such a diagnosis, like a fracture of the external ankle, is made only if a person has traumatized a certain fibular bone. Depending on the severity of the damage, the treatment of this part of the leg may be different.

A fracture of the inner ankle is formed due to a trauma of the distal part of the tibia. Such injuries can occur at different levels. Sometimes they can be isolated, but almost always they are combined with injuries of the ligaments of the ankle joint, as well as with fractures of the fibula.

Fracture of the ankles: possible causes

Injuries to this part of the leg most often occur with a load that significantly exceeds the ultimate strength of the constituent elements, that is, bones and ligaments. In addition, such lesions are almost always accompanied by ruptures of ligaments and tendons, which strengthen the ankle joint. Possible causes of these injuries are the following:

• Accidental turning of the feet outward or inward;
• Excessive and strong flexion / extension of the joints;
• Twisting (accidental) joint;
• Forced load, often axial (for example, during jumps from a high altitude).

Each fracture of the ankles and the degree of its severity have individual characteristics, and they depend on the nature of the injury, on exactly where the injury is localized, on the type of broken bones, and on their number. Treatment, analysis and diagnosis of patients with such a problem should be conducted only by a qualified doctor - traumatologist-orthopedist.

Let's list the symptoms of ankle fracture:

• Pain in the foot, especially during walking;
• Swelling of the feet due to the accumulation of blood / fluid in the soft tissues surrounding the joint;
• Deformation of the feet, as well as the ankle joint;
• Noticeable skin tension at the site of bone fragments;
• Sometimes rupture of the skin with the formation of wounds, as well as with protuberances of bone fragments (with an open fracture);
• Blushing and numbness of the skin;
• The inability to move the foot and fingers (if the vessels and nerves are damaged).

Fracture of the ankle: treatment

Conservative therapy (in the case when the bones are not displaced and the injury is stable) includes immobilization of the damaged part of the lower limb for a certain time (usually up to 6 weeks). This is done by applying gypsum, as well as special shoes that have a high bootleg. It is worth noting that some doctors advise not to transfer the weight of the body to the damaged leg until the moment of its full recovery. Other doctors, on the contrary, recommend doing this regularly, increasing the load every day.