Published October 25, 2011 | 
Does an ankle fracture need a surgery?How to cure an ankle fracture?You will find answer here.
An ankle fracture is a broken bone involving the fibula and/or tibia, which comprise the ankle joint. A fibular fracture is the most common ankle fracture, which is a break in the smaller bone on the outside of the ankle. The larger tibia on the inside of the ankle may also fracture either in conjunction with the fibula or in an isolated fashion. Ankle fractures most commonly occur with twisting injuries similar to that of ankle sprains. This usually occurs by stepping awkwardly off a stair or curb or a trip or step onto an uneven surface.
An ankle fracture may cause pain, inflammation (swelling), and redness at your ankle. Your ankle may be warm to touch. You may have trouble moving your ankle or foot. You may not be able to put weight on the affected ankle and foot. You may have bleeding because of an open wound or a hematoma (swelling filled with blood). You may also see parts of the bone coming out from the skin on your ankle. The foot of the injured ankle may feel weak, achy or numb (loss of feeling).
Most patients with an ankle fracture are seen in the doctors office or emergency room. The first step is to obtain X-rays to see what the fracture pattern is, how badly displaced the fracture is, and what the condition of the bone looks like. Depending on the appearance of the ankle fracture on X-ray, treatment decisions can be made.
Splinting an ankle fracture is commonly performed in the emergency room. A splint is often done for a few days, followed by a cast. The splint will allow more room than a cast in case there is continued swelling. If the ankle fracture is not badly displaced, the splint may be put on without moving the broken ankle. If there is displacement, a “reduction” will be performed. After being given anesthesia, the ankle fracture will be re-set to improve the alignment and displacement of the broken bones.
Surgery is needed for many types of ankle fractures. While not always necessary, surgery for ankle fractures is not uncommon. The need for surgery depends on the appearance of the ankle joint on X-ray and the type of ankle fracture present. Achieving AND maintaining alignment of the broken ankle is of utmost importance . Arthritis is common after an ankle fracture, and the best way to reduce the risk of arthritis is to obtain a normal looking ankle joint. If surgery is needed to achieve this goal, your doctor may recommend an operation.
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