Description...

An ankle fracture is a break in one of the bones of the ankle. The ankle is made up of three bones: the talus, or the ankle bone; the tibia, the main lower leg bone, which is located on the medial side, or inside, of the ankle; the fibula, a smaller bone that runs parallel to the tibia on the lateral side, or outside, of the ankle.

The symptoms of an ankle fracture are similar to those of a sprain; however, in a fracture, the injured area will be tender to the touch and the ankle may look deformed or out of place.

Treatment...

If you believe you may have an ankle fracture, contact your physician immediately. Diagnosis of an ankle fracture requires x-rays, and severe fractures may require surgery.

Once you have consulted a physician, remember the acronym R.I.C.E.: rest, ice, compression wrap, elevation.

• Ice the ankle to reduce swelling using a 20-30 minutes on/20-30 minutes off cycle.

• Elevate the ankle to above heart level to reduce swelling.

• Wear an iGO Ankle Stabilizer, an iGO Stirrup Ankle Brace, an orthopedic walking boot or a compression wrap on the ankle to help immobilize it, allowing it to heal and protecting against re-injury.

 

At-Home Exercises...

Due to the nature of fractured bones, performing exercises is not recommended until the fractured bones have healed.