Broken Ankle

A broken ankle is a bone injury. It often happens when you twist your ankle awkwardly, like from tripping or falling. A broken ankle can also happen from a direct blow, such as in a car accident. The injury involves a crack or a complete break in one or more of the bones in your ankle.

A broken ankle can cause several noticeable problems. You might feel a sharp, throbbing pain right away. The area around the ankle will likely swell up. There will probably be some discoloration or bruising. The ankle will likely be sensitive to the touch, feeling sore and tender. You might also notice a change in the ankle's shape; it might look slightly out of place, or deformed. Finally, walking or putting weight on the ankle will be difficult and painful.

If you have a noticeable change in the shape of a body part, or if home remedies aren't helping pain and swelling, see a doctor. Also, see a doctor if the injury makes it hard for you to walk. Don't ignore pain or swelling that's getting progressively worse. A doctor can help figure out what's going on and recommend the best treatment.

Ankle fractures often happen when you twist your ankle, but a direct impact can also cause a broken ankle.

Here are some common reasons for ankle fractures:

• Car crashes: Serious crashes can severely damage the ankle, potentially causing fractures that need surgery to fix. This includes situations where the foot is crushed or compressed.
• Falls: Tripping and falling, even from a short distance, can break your ankle bones. This is especially true if you land awkwardly or on the side of your foot. A fall from a higher place, like a staircase or ladder, is more likely to cause a broken ankle.
• Awkward foot placement: Sometimes, simply stepping down incorrectly or putting your foot in an unusual position can result in a twisting injury that breaks a bone. This could be caused by uneven surfaces, like a cracked sidewalk, or simply not paying attention to where you're stepping.

Ankle fractures are more likely to happen to some people than others. Here are some things that can increase your risk:

• Playing sports with a lot of forceful movements. Activities like basketball, football, gymnastics, tennis, and soccer involve sudden stops, quick changes in direction, and impacts. These can put a lot of stress on your ankle, leading to a broken bone. Even if you're just playing casually, the risk is higher if you're not careful about your movements.

• Using the wrong equipment or not using it correctly. Your shoes are important. If they're worn out, don't fit well, or don't support your feet properly, they can increase your chances of ankle problems. Similarly, not warming up or stretching before playing sports can make your muscles and tendons more prone to injury.

• Increasing your exercise too quickly. Whether you're a seasoned athlete or just starting a new exercise routine, suddenly doing more intense workouts or exercising for longer periods can put extra stress on your bones. This stress can eventually lead to a fracture. It's always best to gradually increase your activity level.

• Not having a safe home environment. A cluttered home or poor lighting can increase your risk of tripping and falling. Make sure your home is well-lit and free of obstacles that could cause you to lose your balance.

• Having medical conditions. Conditions like osteoporosis, a disease that weakens bones, significantly increase your risk of breaking an ankle. Osteoporosis can make your bones more fragile and susceptible to fractures from even minor falls or stresses.

• Smoking. Smoking can weaken your bones, making them more likely to break. It can also slow down the healing process if you already have a broken ankle. If you smoke, quitting can significantly improve your bone health and recovery time.

Broken ankle complications are not very common, but they can happen. Here are some things to watch out for:

• Joint pain later on (arthritis). Sometimes, a broken ankle that goes into the joint can lead to arthritis later on in life. If your ankle starts hurting a long time after the break, it's important to see a doctor to get checked out. This is especially true if the pain is persistent or increases over time.

• Bone infection (osteomyelitis). If the broken bone is open (meaning a piece of bone poked through the skin), bacteria can get into the bone and cause an infection. This is more likely with open fractures.

• Compartment syndrome. This is a rare but possible complication of a broken ankle. It happens when swelling in the muscles of your lower leg puts pressure on the nerves and blood vessels. This can cause pain, swelling, and even problems with how your leg works.

• Nerve or blood vessel damage. A broken ankle can hurt nerves and blood vessels, sometimes even tearing them. This can cause numbness or a lack of feeling in the affected area. Changes in how well your ankle and foot feel or function are also reasons to seek immediate medical attention. If blood flow to the area is cut off, the bone may die and collapse. This is a serious concern, so prompt medical attention is vital.

Preventing Broken Ankles: Simple Steps for a Safer Workout

Having a safe and healthy workout routine is key to preventing injuries like broken ankles. Here are some easy tips:

1. Choose the Right Shoes: Your shoes are your first line of defense. For hiking, use sturdy hiking boots. For sports like basketball or soccer, pick athletic shoes designed for that activity. Make sure they fit properly and provide good support.

2. Replace Your Shoes Regularly: Don't wait until your shoes are falling apart! Check for worn-out tread (the rubber on the bottom), a worn-out heel, or uneven wear. If you're a runner, replace your sneakers every 300 to 400 miles (or every 6 months, whichever comes first). This helps ensure the shoes still provide cushioning and support to prevent injuries.

3. Start Slowly: Whether you're starting a new workout routine or just beginning a new exercise, ease into it. Don't try to do too much too soon. Give your body time to adjust. Gradually increase the intensity and duration of your workouts.

4. Mix Up Your Activities: Doing the same exercise repeatedly can put stress on your body and increase your risk of injury. Cross-training, like switching between running, swimming, and cycling, helps distribute the stress and prevents stress fractures (tiny cracks in the bones).

5. Nourish Your Bones: Strong bones are less likely to break. Make sure you're getting enough calcium and vitamin D. Good sources of calcium include dairy products like milk, yogurt, and cheese. Talk to your doctor about whether you need a vitamin D supplement, especially if you're not getting enough from your diet or if you have certain health conditions.

6. Create a Safe Environment: A cluttered home is a tripping hazard! Keep your living space clear of obstacles so you're less likely to stumble and fall.

7. Strengthen Your Ankle: If you've had ankle problems in the past, or if you're prone to twisting your ankle, talk to your doctor about exercises to strengthen the muscles around your ankle. Stronger muscles provide more support and stability.

A doctor will check your ankle by feeling for sore spots. Where it hurts most can help figure out what's wrong.

They might also move your foot around to see how far you can move it. You might even be asked to walk a little to check how you walk.

If the pain and other symptoms suggest a broken bone, your doctor might order one or more of these tests:

• X-rays: These are a common way to see if a bone in your ankle is broken. The technician may need to take pictures from different angles to get a clear view of the bone without parts overlapping. Small cracks (stress fractures) sometimes don't show up on X-rays until they've started to heal.

• Bone scan: If X-rays don't show a break, a bone scan might help. A tiny amount of radioactive material is injected into your vein. This material goes to areas of damage in your bones, highlighting any problems, including stress fractures. The damaged areas appear as bright spots on the images.

• CT scan (Computed Tomography): A CT scan takes many X-ray pictures from different angles and puts them together to create detailed cross-sectional views of the inside of your body. It can show more detail of the broken bone and the tissues around it, helping your doctor decide on the best treatment.

• MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging): An MRI uses powerful magnets and radio waves to create very detailed images of the ligaments and bones in your ankle. It can show problems with the ligaments that support your ankle and can spot some broken bones that X-rays might miss. This can help pinpoint exactly what's wrong and plan the best treatment.