Ankle fractures are unfortunately an extremely common injury that can happen from playing sports or simply stepping wrong. They range from mild to severe and may take weeks to months to heal.
The most significant part of the healing process is making sure the broken bones realign correctly, which is known as a reduction. At Sports Medicine Associates of San Antonio, Dr. Marque A. Allen offers closed and open reductions for various forms of ankle fractures.
Dr. Allen is an experienced podiatrist specializing in foot and ankle surgery to improve pain and function in the feet and ankles.
An ankle fracture is an injury that occurs when the ankle bones break due to direct trauma. The three prominent bones in the ankle joint are the tibia, fibula, and talus. Several essential ligaments hold the ankle joint together.
Ankle fractures are an extremely prevalent injury among people of all ages. They cause significant ankle pain and sometimes require surgery to fix and realign the bones.
You can break one or more of the bones in the joint, and there are several different types of ankle fractures, ranging from mild to moderate cracks in the bone to a complete or partial displacement of the affected bone.
Ankle fractures are also identified according to the bone(s) involved and may include:
A broken ankle usually causes pain, but it may not be immediately apparent that you have a fracture.
Treatment is necessary for a fracture, but only after an evaluation. We first take an X-ray of the joint to determine the type of fracture and design the appropriate treatment based on those results.
When one or more of the ankle bones break, they can become misaligned. The bone can then cause more damage to surrounding tissues and, more importantly, won't heal correctly.
To prevent further injury and ensure proper healing of the bones, we perform an ankle reduction. Two main types of reductions are possible: closed and open.
A closed reduction doesn't require surgery. We manipulate the ankle joint to realign the broken bones using advanced imaging (X-ray) guidance so they heal correctly. Afterwards, we stabilize the ankle with a brace, cast, or splint.
An open reduction is a surgical technique in which we open the ankle joint and realign the bones. Open reduction is necessary for severe fractures that also require fixation with plates and screws. It also involves stabilization afterwards to keep the bones from moving.
You don't need surgery for a closed reduction, but you might need sedation to lessen discomfort. We use traction or countertraction to pull the bone fragments back into alignment. We may also manipulate the foot to engage certain bones to move into place.
After a closed reduction, you can expect some discomfort, which typically decreases as the traumatized tissue heals. Pain medications, rest, and elevating the involved ankle help with inflammation and pain. You will be in a brace or cast to keep the bones from moving while they heal.
An open reduction is a surgical procedure that requires anesthesia. It involves making an incision around the ankle joint and moving the broken bone fragments back into place.
After we realign the bones, we place a plate and screws in the broken bone to keep it in place while it heals. These will stay in place permanently unless they cause pain or other issues down the road.
Reductions are necessary for ankle fractures not only to restore anatomical position but also to promote healing and restore function within the joint.
To learn more about our ankle fracture treatments, call one of our offices in Alamo Heights or San Antonio, Texas, today to schedule an appointment or request a consultation online.
