WHAT YOU SHOULD
KNOW
If you break one of the bones in your ankle, you're in
for many weeks of discomfort and inconvenience. However, with
the right treatment and care, you can expect a full
recovery.
Causes
Common causes of ankle fractures
include falls, car accidents, and sports injuries. They also
can occur when you turn your ankle.
Signs/Symptoms
The fracture can be expected to
cause pain, swelling, soreness, problems moving your leg and
foot, weakness, numbness, tingling, and bruising.
Treatment
The doctor will take an x-ray of
the break, set the bones in the correct position, and put a
cast or splint around it to keep the bones from moving out of
position. A bad or unusual break may require surgery and a
period of recovery in the hospital.
WHAT YOU SHOULD DO
-
Use your crutches to keep your weight off of the
ankle until your doctor says you can
stop.
-
To lessen the swelling, raise your ankle above your
heart. Keep the injured leg on pillows while lying down and
on a stool when sitting.
-
Apply ice to the injury for 15 to 20 minutes each
hour for the first 1 to 2 days. Put the ice in a plastic
bag and place a thin towel between the bag of ice and your
cast.
-
If you have a plaster or fiberglass
cast:
-
Do not try to scratch the skin under the cast with
a sharp or pointed object.
-
Check the skin around the cast every day. You may
put lotion on any red or sore areas.
-
If your fiberglass cast gets a little wet, you can
dry it with a hair dryer.
-
If you have a plaster splint:
-
Wear the splint until your doctor says you no
longer need it or until you are seen for a follow-up
examination.
-
You may loosen the elastic around the splint if you
develop numbness or tingling in your
toes.
-
Do not put pressure on any part of your cast or
splint. It may break.
-
Keep your cast or splint dry. It can be protected
during bathing with a plastic bag. Do not lower the cast or
splint into water.
-
You may use over-the-counter medicines, such as
acetaminophen or ibuprofen to relieve the pain. Take all
medications exactly as directed by your
doctor.
Call Your Doctor If...
-
You have continued severe pain or more swelling than
you did before the cast was put on.
Seek Care Immediately If...
-
Your cast gets damaged or
breaks.
-
Your skin or toenails below the injury turn blue or
grey, or begin to feel cold or numb.
-
There is a bad smell from your
cast.
-
There are new stains coming from under the
cast.
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