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Ankle Fracture

If your ankle bone breaks, this can be extremely painful and makes it difficult for you to walk.
If you suspect your ankle is broken, contact us right away.
Physical therapy offers an effective treatment for all fracture types, whether they require surgery or not. Through a custom treatment plan, you should be back on your feet in the shortest time.

What is an Ankle Fracture?

An ankle fracture occurs when one or more bones of the ankle get broken. This can be very painful and debilitating. The ankle is made up of three bones; the tibia(shinbone), fibula, and talus.
  • The tibia is the largest of the lower leg bone and makes up the inside (medial) of the ankle joint.
  • The fibula is the smaller bone of the lower leg. It is parallel to the tibia. It makes up the outside or (lateral part) of the ankle joint.
  • The talus is found between the heel bone and the tibia and fibula.
Classification of ankle fractures is based on the area of the bone that is broken. Two joints are usually involved in ankle fractures.
  • The ankle joint, and
  • Syndesmosis joint - which is the joint between the tibia and fibula, held together by ligaments.

Causes of Ankle Fractures

The ankle can get broken when too much pressure is applied to the joint. This could be from;
  • Twisting or rotating the ankle
  • Falling
  • Landing heavily on the ankle joint
  • Impact from automobile collision
  • A direct hit to the ankle joint.

Types and Severity of Ankle Fractures

The type of ankle fracture depends on the bone that is fractured. They include:

Lateral malleolus fracture

This a break in the bony bump of the fibula that is on the outside of the ankle. This is the most common type of ankle fracture.

Medial malleolus fracture

Only the tibia, which is on the inside of the ankle is broken.

Bi-malleolar fracture

This occurs where both the tibia and fibula are broken

Trimalleolar fracture

This occurs where the tibia, fibula, and posterior malleolus (back of the tibia) are broken.

The severity of the fracture is classified as:

Non-displaced

The bone breaks, but still remains intact or in position

Displaced

the bone brakes and the pieces shift out of position

Comminuted

multiple small pieces of bones are found in the fractured area

Complex fracture

soft tissue surrounding the bone is damaged

Compound fracture

the broken bone pierces the skin