Ankle Fractures

Ankle Fracture Overview

Ankle injuries are among the most common of the bone and joint injuries. Often, the degree of pain, the inability to walk, or concern that a bone may be broken is what might cause you to seek care in an emergency situation.

For the most part, your concern is the same as the doctor’s: Is there a broken bone? Frequently it is difficult to diagnose a fracture (broken bone) over a sprain, a dislocation, or tendon injury without x-rays of the ankle.

• The ankle joint is made up of 3 bones coming together.
  
  
  • The tibia, which is the main bone of the lower leg, makes up the medial, or inside, anklebone.
    
    
  • The fibula is a smaller bone that parallels the tibia in the lower leg and makes up the lateral, or outside, anklebone.
    
    
  • The far ends of both the tibia and fibula are known as the malleoli (singular is malleolus). Together they form an arch that sits on top of the talus, one of the bones in the foot.
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• These 3 bones (tibia, fibula, and talus) make up the bony elements of the ankle joint.
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• A fibrous membrane called the joint capsule, lined with a smoother layer called the synovium, encases the joint architecture. The joint capsule contains the synovial fluid produced by the synovium. The synovial fluid allows for smooth movement of the joint surfaces.
  
  
• The ankle joint is stabilized by 3 groups of ligaments, which are fibers that hold these bones in place.

Ankle Fracture Causes

When you stress an ankle joint beyond the strength of its elements, you injure the joint.

• If only the ligaments give way and tear, you have sprained the ankle.
  
  
• If a bone gives way and breaks, you have an ankle fracture.
  
  
• Fractures can occur with simultaneous tears of the ligaments. You can do this in several ways:
  
  
  • Rolling the ankle in or out
    
    
  • Twisting the ankle side to side
    
    
  • Extreme flexing or extending of the joint
    
    
  • Severe force applied to the joint by coming straight down on it as in jumping from a high level

Ankle Fracture Symptoms

Signs and symptoms of ankle injuries and fractures tend to be obvious.

• Pain is the most common complaint.
  
  
  • Often the pain will not come from the exact area of the fracture.
    
    
  • You may experience associated fractures of your foot (especially on the side of the small toe) or knee that also cause pain.
    
    
  • It is usually pain in the ankle that stops you from walking.
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• Swelling frequently occurs around the ankle too.
  
  
  • Swelling suggests either soft tissue damage with possible blood around the joint or fluid within the joint itself, most likely blood.
    
    
  • When blood is in the joint, it is called hemarthrosis.
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• You may see bruising ("black and blue") about the joint, although not immediately. This bruising can track down toward the sole of your foot or toward the toes.
  
  
• In severe fractures you may see obvious deformities of bones around the ankle.
  
  
  • Your skin may be stretched over an underlying broken bone.
    
    
  • You may see actual exposed bone.
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• If you injure nerves or blood vessels that supply your foot, you may experience even more pain along with pale skin in the foot, numbness, or inability to move your foot or toes.