An ankle fracture, commonly known as a broken ankle involves a break or crack in the tibia and/or fibula. The more bones that are broken, the more complicated and severe the fracture is. Symptoms that a patient may experience with a broken ankle are a pain, swelling, bruising, tenderness to the ankle or leg and an inability to walk. Treatment for a broken ankle depends on the type and severity of the fracture, but often includes bracing or casting of the ankle, icing and anti-inflammatory medications. Stable fractures can be treated conservatively (non-operatively) and usually heal on their own, while more complicated ones require surgery to reposition the broken bone.
Calcaneal (Heel Bone) Fractures
A calcaneal fracture or heel bone fracture is usually a result of a fall of significant height or an automobile accident. Patients will likely be unable to bear weight on their foot or leg. Significant swelling may be present to the foot with associated bruising. Heel bone fractures are treated both conservatively (casting/bracing) or surgically. Your surgeon will decide which treatment option is best for you.
Metatarsal Fractures
A metatarsal fracture is a break in one or more of the five long bones you have in the foot. Common symptoms of a metatarsal fracture include increased pain when walking, bruising and swelling of the foot. Often times they can be treated conservatively with proper immobilization in a walking boot. Surgery is only necessary for severe fractures in which the bones are displaced or out of alignment.
Toe Fractures
A toe fracture, though very painful, is not usually a serious injury. They are typically caused by stubbing your toe or dropping something on the toe. When a toe is fractured, it may appear bruised and swollen. In most cases, the patient is placed into a special post-operative shoe with the injured toe taped to the adjacent normal toe for stabilization. Rarely do toe fractures require surgical intervention.