Ankle fractures can occur due to various types of trauma, including sports injuries, car accidents, and slips and falls. At Sports Medicine Associates of San Antonio, double board-certified podiatrist Marque Allen, DPM, provides customized care for ankle fractures using safe, effective treatments. To make an appointment at one of the two locations in San Antonio, Texas and Alamo Heights, Texas, call the nearest office or click the online booking feature today.
An ankle fracture is an injury to one or more of the three bones that make up your ankle joint. You might experience an ankle fracture when stepping down awkwardly, pivoting during sports play, or when involved in a car accident.
Ankle fractures vary in severity. Some are minor, like hairline fractures, while others require surgical intervention and reconstruction with screws and/or plates.
If you injure your ankle and your symptoms don’t respond to at-home treatments, contact Dr. Allen at Sports Medicine Associates of San Antonio right away.
Symptoms of an ankle fracture include:
If your fracture is severe, you might also notice a visible abnormality, like a bone bulging beneath your skin.
To diagnose a broken ankle, Dr. Allen reviews your health history and asks about your symptoms, including what you were doing when they first occurred and if any activities like standing, walking, or exercising, make them worse.
Next, he examines your ankle, gently pressing on it to find areas of warmth, swelling, or tenderness.
Dr. Allen might also test your ankle’s range of motion and have you stand up or walk around the exam room to assess your gait.
Dr. Allen also orders diagnostic imaging, like X-rays, a bone scan, or an MRI. These capture detailed images of your bones and joints and help Dr. Allen determine the severity of your ankle fracture.
Treatment of a broken ankle varies depending on the intensity of your symptoms and the broken bone(s). Dr. Allen might recommend:
If the pieces of your broken bone don’t line up correctly, Dr. Allen performs a reduction procedure. To do that, he administers a local anesthetic and carefully moves the bone (or bones) back into the proper position.
If you have a hairline fracture or another minor fracture that doesn’t require intervention, Dr. Allen fits a cast or splint. These devices keep your ankle in a single position, allowing your bones to heal.
If you break more than one of the bones in your ankle or your fracture is severe, Dr. Allen might recommend reconstructive surgery. During ankle fracture surgery, he uses plates and/or screws to hold your bones together. Once your bones heal, Dr. Allen may remove the pieces.
To explore the treatment options for broken ankles, make an appointment at Sports Medicine Associates of San Antonio by calling the nearest office today or clicking the online booking feature.
