![]() ![]() ![]() In some cases, surgery may be considered even if the fracture is not out of place. If the fracture is out of place or the ankle is unstable, surgery may be recommended. (Right) Surgical repair of a medial malleolus fracture with a plate and screws. (Left) X-ray of a medial malleolus fracture. You will need to see your physician regularly for repeat x-rays to make sure the fracture does not change in position. Usually, you need to avoid putting weight on your leg for approximately 6 weeks. The fracture may be treated with a short leg cast or a removable brace. If the fracture is not out of place or is a very low fracture with very small pieces, it can be treated without surgery.Ī stress x-ray may be done to see if the fracture and ankle are stable. Medial malleolar fractures often occur with a fracture of the fibula (lateral malleolus), a fracture of the back of the tibia (posterior malleolus), or with an injury to the ankle ligaments. Fractures can occur at different levels of the medial malleolus. In some cases, a screw or rod inside the bone may be used to keep the bone fragments together while they heal.Ī medial malleolus fracture is a break in the tibia, at the inside of the lower leg. They are held together with special screws and metal plates attached to the outer surface of the bone. During this type of procedure, the bone fragments are first repositioned (reduced) into their normal alignment. If the fracture is out of place or your ankle is unstable, your fracture may be treated with surgery. You will see your physician regularly to repeat your ankle x-rays to make sure the fragments of your fracture have not moved out of place during the healing process. Some physicians let patients put weight on their leg right away, while others have them wait for 6 weeks. ranging from a high-top tennis shoe to a short leg cast. Several different methods are used for protecting the fracture while it heals. The type of treatment required may also be based on where the bone is broken. A stress x-ray may be done to see if the ankle is stable. You may not require surgery if your ankle is stable, meaning the broken bone is not out of place or just barely out of place. The level of the fracture may direct the treatment. There are different levels at which that the fibula can be fractured. For some ankle fractures, an MRI scan may be done to evaluate the ankle ligaments.Ī lateral malleolus fracture is a fracture of the fibula. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan. These tests provide high resolution images of both bones and soft tissues, like ligaments. It is especially useful when the fracture extends into the ankle joint. This x-ray is done to see if certain ankle fractures require surgery.Ĭomputed tomography (CT) scan. This type of scan can create a cross-section image of the ankle and is sometimes done to further evaluate the ankle injury. Stress test. Depending on the type of ankle fracture, the doctor may put pressure on the ankle and take a special x-ray, called a stress test. X-rays may be taken of the leg, ankle, and foot to make sure nothing else is injured. They can also show how many pieces of broken bone there are. X-rays can show if the bone is broken and whether there is displacement (the gap between broken bones). X-rays. X-rays are the most common and widely available diagnostic imaging technique. If your doctor suspects an ankle fracture, he or she will order additional tests to provide more information about your injury. Deformity ("out of place"), particularly if the ankle joint is dislocated as wellĪfter discussing your medical history, symptoms, and how the injury occurred, your doctor will do a careful examination of your ankle, foot, and lower leg.Cannot put any weight on the injured foot.Multiple ligaments help make the ankle joint stable.īecause a severe ankle sprain can feel the same as a broken ankle, every ankle injury should be evaluated by a physician.Ĭommon symptoms for a broken ankle include: Syndesmosis joint - the joint between the tibia and fibula, which is held together by ligaments.Ankle joint - where the tibia, fibula, and talus meet.Two joints are involved in ankle fractures: For example, a fracture at the end of the fibula is called a lateral malleolus fracture, or if both the tibia and fibula are broken, it is called a bimalleolar fracture. Posterior malleolus - back part of the tibiaĭoctors classify ankle fractures according to the area of bone that is broken.Medial malleolus - inside part of the tibia.The tibia and fibula have specific parts that make up the ankle: Talus - a small bone that sits between the heel bone (calcaneus) and the tibia and fibula. ![]()
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