Ankle Fracture

OPA treats a wide variety of foot & ankle conditions and offers comprehensive treatment options — including many non-surgical solutions.

Meet Our Foot & Ankle Specialists

What is Ankle Fracture?

The tibia, fibula, and talus join to form the ankle joint. The bones are connected by ligaments. Ankle fractures are common injuries. A fractured ankle can range from a simple break in one bone, which may not stop you from walking to several fractures, which forces your ankle out of place and may require that you not put weight on it for a few months.

Common Causes:

- Twisting or rotating your ankle
- Rolling your ankle
- Tripping or falling
- Impact during a car accident

Symptoms of a fractured ankle may include:

- Immediate and severe pain
- Swelling
- Bruising
- Tender to touch
- Cannot put any weight on the injured foot
- Deformity (“out of place”), particularly if the ankle joint is dislocated as well

An Orthopedic Physicians Alaska (OPA) Foot and Ankle Specialist will conduct the following to obtain the proper diagnosis to start immediate treatment for a quicker recovery:

- A medical, injury, and symptom history review
- A physical examination
- Multiple view x-rays, CT scan or MRI

When you arrive for your initial consultation, Orthopedic Physicians Alaska (OPA) team of foot and ankle specialists will evaluate your areas of concern, discuss your symptoms, and develop a customized and comprehensive treatment plan tailored to your unique needs. This evaluation is a necessary part of diagnosing your condition and providing the best possible care.

Common Treatments:

Nonsurgical treatment options are commonly used to treat ankle fractures. A treatment plan usually consists of multiple treatment options:

Bracing

Splinting or a cast immobilizes the ankle. Crutches take the weight off the ankle.

NSAIDs

Oral medications decrease nerve inflammation and pain.

Physical Therapy

Strengthens and stretches ankle muscles, ligaments, and tendons after the fracture has healed.

Surgery may be recommended to treat ankle fractures that disrupt the integrity/anatomy of the joint. During an open reduction internal fixation (ORIF) procedure, an OPA foot and ankle specialist reduces the fractured or broken bones and fixates them using screws and metal plates. The procedure is usually performed on an outpatient basis under general anesthesia. A splint immobilizes the ankle after surgery. Bone healing is monitored over the course of many weeks. An OPA selected physical therapist will help you regain strength and your joint becomes strong and healthy. Patients who have their surgery performed by an OPA foot and ankle specialist fully recover.