Table of Contents
Treatment Options for an Ankle Break / Fracture You’ll probably need to wear a cast, splint, or walking boot for around 6-10 weeks which keeps your bones in place while they heal.
Can a fractured ankle heal without a cast?
Brief Overview of Treatments for an Ankle Fracture If the broken bones are not out of place and the ankle is stable, the injury can usually be treated without surgery. These treatment options include: walking boot, cast or removable brace and the use of crutches or a knee roller/scooter.
Can you walk on a fractured ankle?
Broken ankle — can you still walk? Typically, a minor ankle fracture won’t prevent you from walking. You might even be able to walk right after the injury. If you have a serious break, you’ll need to avoid walking for a few months.
How long will my ankle be swollen after fracture?
The foot and ankle become swollen, painful and can no longer hold any weight. It takes several days or weeks for the swelling to go down completely, and can take months for the ankle joint to fully recover from the fracture.
Can you walk on a hairline fracture?
Medical treatments. Your doctor may recommend that you use crutches to keep weight off an injured foot or leg. You can also wear protective footwear or a cast. Because it usually takes up to six to eight weeks to completely heal from a hairline fracture, it’s important to modify your activities during that time.
Can a fractured foot heal in 4 weeks?
The outlook for a foot fracture depends on what bone(s) of the foot were fractured, and the severity of the injury. For most simple fractures, the healing process takes about six to eight weeks without surgery. Severe fractures may require surgery and more recovery time.
Do you need a cast for a fractured ankle?
Without surgery, your ankle will be placed in a cast or splint for 4 to 8 weeks. The length of time you must wear a cast or splint depends on the type of fracture you have. Your cast or splint may be changed more than once, as your swelling goes down.
Can you move your toes if your ankle is broken?
Most believe that if they can wiggle their toes or move the ankle around that an ankle fracture has not occurred. The reason this is not true is because the nerves and muscles that allow the movement of the ankle have not been affected by the fracture.
Should I sleep in my fracture boot?
If supplied, wear the boot for comfort and use crutches when walking. It is ok to take the boot off at night, when resting at home and to wash.
How much force does it take to break an ankle?
As a rough estimate, it would take 218 pounds of pressure to produce a tibial fracture in a healthy adult using a hammer. You could decrease the force requirement by choosing a tool with less surface area, such as a hatchet—then again, you’d be increasing the risk of soft tissue damage and significant blood loss.
Can you walk on a fractured foot?
Most foot fractures take 6 to 8 weeks to heal. Healing time varies, so ask your doctor when you can resume normal activities. Most people make a full recovery and can walk again after breaking a foot. However, complications are possible.
Is a walking boot better than a cast?
Short-leg walking boots (WBs) have been reported to be an effective alternative to plaster casts (PCs) that could shorten this postoperative recuperative period. The aim of this study was to compare the functional recovery of a conventional PC with that of a WB after surgery for ankle fractures.
What does a fractured foot feel like?
Signs and symptoms of a broken foot may include pain, limping, swelling, bruising, and refusal to bear weight on the affected foot. Initial treatment may include RICE (rest, ice, compression, elevation). Rest may include the use of crutches to limit weight bearing.
What’s the worst ankle break?
A trimalleolar fracture is an unstable type of ankle fracture. Surgery is usually the recommended treatment. Nonsurgical treatment would be recommended only if surgery would pose too high of a risk to you due to other health conditions.
How can I tell if my ankle is broken or fractured?
With a sprain, you feel pain. But if you have numbness or tingling, your ankle is most likely broken. Where is the pain? If your ankle hurts or is tender to the touch directly over your ankle bone, you probably have a fracture.
Can you wiggle your toes with a broken foot?
Compound fractures are severe and require immediate medical attention. Loss of Mobility – If you can’t say where any of them are broken, wiggle your fingers or toes. If doing so happens to be difficult or painful, you may have a break above that point. Intense Pain – Breaks are painful, especially under pressure.
Why does broken ankle hurt more at night?
Bone stress injuries occur because of an unfamiliar increase in physical activity and is related to overuse, under recovery and several considerations that result in the bone not being able to keep up with the required adaptations. A fracture can result and this will cause pain at night time.
Can you walk on a fractured ankle with a boot?
As you come out of the cast, your doctor may recommend a walking boot to help you transition to walking. Occasionally, for minor fractures like a stress fracture, your physician will recommend that you wear a medical walking boot to help support the ankle as it heals.
How long will I be off work with a broken ankle?
It takes around 6- 10 weeks to recover from a broken ankle. During this time, you will probably need to wear a cast or boot. Most people are able to walk normally again and resume their everyday activities by around three months – endurance improves over time and as your strength improves.
