An ankle fracture can happen when you least expect it.
One wrong step, a slip on ice, or a sudden twist during sports — and suddenly, putting weight on your foot becomes painful or even impossible.
Because ankle injuries can feel similar, it’s not always easy to tell whether you’re dealing with a fracture, a sprain, or something else entirely.
Understanding the difference is important, since the right diagnosis plays a key role in how well and how quickly you recover.
In this article, we’ll take a closer look at what an ankle fracture is, what it feels like, the different types of fractures that can occur, and how a podiatrist can help guide your recovery.
What Is An Ankle Fracture?
An ankle fracture occurs when at least one bone in the joint of your ankle is broken.
Your ankle is made up of three main bones, your tibia or shinbone, your fibula or the smaller bone behind your tibia, and your talus which sits between your heel bone, tibia, and fibula.
But only certain parts of your tibia and fibula make up your ankle.
This injury commonly affects adults, and is the fourth most common type of fracture in adults.
You can have multiple fractures at once when you break your ankle, depending on the injury, which can greatly affect your mobility.
That’s because in a case like this, you most likely won’t be able to put any weight on your ankle for a few months.
If you have multiple fractures, there’s a higher chance you’ll need surgery to recover.
What Does An Ankle Fracture Feel Like?
The first thing you will probably feel when you fracture your ankle is an instant, sharp pain that throbs.
Sometimes you may even remember hearing a crack or pop with the injury.
Like with most fractures, this is often the first sign you will immediately feel.
You may also notice swelling, bruising or bleeding beneath the skin, and have difficulty putting weight on your ankle.
In severe cases, you may also notice a deformity in the usual shape of your ankle or that your bone is sticking through the skin.
This last sign is called an open fracture.
RELATED ARTICLE: Can A Podiatrist Help With Sprained Ankles?
Types Of Ankle Fractures
There are different types of ankle fractures classified by either the area of bone that is broken, or the type of fracture.
For example, a fracture at the end of your fibula is called a lateral malleolus fracture.
Let’s take a closer look at the different types of fractures you can get.
Stress Fracture
A stress fracture in your ankle can be either a small crack in any of the bones in your ankle or severe bruising of these bones.
These are most often caused by overuse or repetitive motions.
You can also get them if you have osteoporosis or other bone degenerative diseases.
Signs of a stress fracture in your ankle are less intense than a usual fracture, because it’s a crack, not a break.
This means you might notice swelling, tenderness, bruising, or pain that feels better with rest rather than an immediate, sharp pain.
If you’re experiencing any of these symptoms, a podiatrist can help.
RELATED ARTICLE: How Can A Podiatrist Help With Stress Fractures?
Acute Fracture
An acute ankle fracture is a partial or complete break in the bones that involve the ankle joint, such as the lower aspect of the tibia or fibula, due to a sudden injury.
There are many types of ankle fractures, and each will require a different approach to treatment.
This is why seeing a foot and ankle specialist is important.
This is where you’ll feel the immediate pain due to the injury, along with significant swelling and bruising.
Compound Fracture
A compound ankle fracture is the most severe case, as mentioned before.
In this type of break, your broken bone has pierced through your soft tissue and is protruding.
This injury is accompanied by significant bleeding and potential damage to surrounding soft tissues, including the syndesmosis, tendons, and ligaments.
If you experience this, you should go to an emergency room or call an ambulance.
What Causes Ankle Fracture?
We mentioned before that a sudden injury often causes an ankle fracture.
This can be from a turning, twisting, or rolling injury, along with direct trauma to your ankle.
But what is the most common cause of these injuries?
Well, it tends to happen most frequently during car accidents, falls or jumps, and missteps that lead to a twisting injury.
There are also certain activities that can put you at a higher risk of fracturing your ankle.
For example, playing high-impact sports like soccer, basketball, or tennis can increase your risk of an ankle fracture.
Being involved in a high-energy accident, such as a motor vehicle accident or a fall from a height, can lead to ankle fractures depending on the mechanism of injury.
Another example is that suddenly boosting your activity level or training amount can increase your risk of a stress fracture.
It’s also helpful to keep your home free of floor clutter, as it reduces your chances of tripping.
Sometimes these injuries can occur with a simple trip and fall or missing a step or two.
In certain weather conditions, such as when it is snowing or there is ice on the ground, extra care is needed to avoid a slip-and-fall that can lead to an ankle fracture.
Smoking can also increase your risk of getting osteoporosis, which increases your chances of an ankle fracture.
RELATED ARTICLE: 6 Simple Ways To Avoid Running Injuries
What To Do If You Break Your Ankle?
If you think you might have broken your ankle, you need to see a doctor immediately.
As a result, you may be required to go to the emergency room first.
Sometimes your ankle may be dislocated and may need to be reset.
This way, the full extent of your injury can be diagnosed, and you can get the necessary imaging.
Then, book a consultation with a local podiatrist for a further evaluation.
How Can A Podiatrist Help Treat An Ankle Fracture?
While every injury is unique, there are basic aspects of a treatment plan designed by an ankle fracture podiatrist that apply to most fractures.
1. RICE
The first thing your podiatrist will recommend is the RICE protocol for your ankle fracture.
This is:
- Rest
- Ice
- Compression
- Elevate
Follow your podiatrist’s recommendations on how long to ice and use compression.
2. Pain Relief
During this RICE period, your podiatrist will also work with you to ensure your pain is managed.
Often, over-the-counter options will work well.
But if you’re still experiencing pain, your podiatrist can work with you to prescribe stronger pain medications to offer you relief.
3. Activity Modification
Depending on the nature of your fracture, your podiatrist will assess your ability to put weight on your ankle while you heal.
This can vary from no weight at all during the first few months to partial weight with mobility aids.
Mobility aids include crutches, canes, and similar options.
The goal here is for you to heal while you move around safely during your day-to-day activities.
4. Ankle Protection
Depending on the severity of your fracture, you might need a cast or splint to protect and immobilize your ankle.
It depends on where your fracture is and what type it is.
Your podiatrist will let you know what you need to keep you safe while you heal.
5. Ankle Surgery
Like with a cast, surgery is only an option for certain types of ankle fractures.
It depends on how unstable your fracture pattern is.
Soft tissue injuries associated with ankle fractures are also important to address properly.
In more severe breaks, like with a compound ankle fracture, you may require surgery to start your healing journey.
Your podiatrist will discuss your options and offer their expertise, and will work with your goals to offer the best treatment.
Book Your Appointment With Our Podiatry Clinic Today
An ankle fracture can make even simple movements like walking or standing extremely difficult.
If you’re experiencing sharp pain, swelling, bruising, or trouble putting weight on your ankle, it’s important to get your injury evaluated as soon as possible to avoid complications and support proper healing.
With the right diagnosis and treatment plan, most ankle fractures can heal successfully.
From immobilization and activity modification to pain management and, in some cases, surgical intervention, a podiatrist can help guide your recovery and restore your mobility safely.
Because ankle injuries can sometimes be confused with other conditions such as ankle sprains, stress fractures, or even ligament and tendon injuries, an accurate diagnosis is essential to ensure you receive the appropriate care.
If you’re dealing with symptoms of an ankle injury, consulting with a podiatrist can help you get a clear diagnosis and a treatment plan tailored to your recovery goals.
Book your appointment with our podiatry clinic today and take the first step toward healing your ankle and getting back to comfortable movement.
