An ankle fracture occurs as a result of an injury to one of the three bones that make up the ankle, which is usually the lower end of the tibia or calf make up the joint.
An ankle fracture can occur following a rotational injury of the joint, such as after a fall or an incorrect step. Another mechanism to an ankle fracture is direct injury, such as following a traumatic car accident.
When should surgery be performed?
The treatment of ankle fractures varies depending on the exact location of the fracture and the severity of the injury. In many cases the injury causes a fracture with the displacement of bone parts away from each other - requiring the rejoining fractured fragments, which is sometimes performed directly at the emergency room. After the relocation of fractured and displaced bone parts, an external fixation of the ankle is performed with the help of a cast or a suitable brace.
In some cases the external fixation is not sufficient to support the broken bone parts and it is necessary to perform internal fixation through surgery, using screws, pins or metal plates. These can be removed after bone healing.
The course of the surgery
Internal fixation of the ankle is usually performed under general anesthesia and lasts for several hours. In the first part of the operation, the team will relocate the fractured bone parts and make sure that the parts of the fracture are facing each other according to the correct anatomy of the ankle. The parts of the bone will then be fixated to each other to allow the fractures to heal together in the original bone structure.
Preparation for surgery
Before the operation, an examination must be performed by an orthopedic specialist. In addition, the medical validity and preliminary tests done will be examined, in order to plan the surgery in the best way for you. On occasion it is necessary to perform additional tests before surgery.
In addition, a preliminary evaluation by an anesthesiologist should be performed. You should be in complete food and liquid fast according to staff instructions.
Recovery after the fracture and its treatment
There are a large number of ankle injuries and a variety of possible treatments and surgeries for them, so the course of recovery varies from person to person. Bones usually heal within six weeks, but healing of ligaments and tendons may take longer.
Rehabilitation is a key component in recovery, regardless of the type of fracture and the way it is treated. A program of physical therapy and home exercises is extremely important to the recovery process. It is usually possible to return to daily activities, except sports, within three to four months, but the full recovery process can take longer.
Possible complications
As with any surgery, there are possible complications in fixing ankle fractures, although they are not common. Possible complications include local infection, bleeding and nerve damage at the surgical site. Muscular weakness, impaired function and difficulty walking are also possible to occur. Sometimes bone recovery is incomplete and reoperation is necessary.