Ankle Fractures
Ankle Fracture Specialist in Bloomington, Burnsville, MN
Ankle fracture is a condition where there is a break in one or more bones forming the ankle joint. It occurs from excessive rolling and twisting of the ankle often resulting in swelling, severe pain around the ankle and impaired mobility. Benjamin R. Williams, M.D. provides expert diagnosis and individualized non-operative and operative treatments for ankle fractures in Bloomington, Burnsville, MN. Contact Benjamin R. Williams, M.D.’s team for an appointment today!
What breaks, and why it matters
The ankle is a ring: the tibia and fibula form a socket that grips the talus, held together by ligaments. A fracture can involve the outer bone (the fibula), the inner bone (the medial malleolus), the back of the tibia, or a combination — described as bimalleolar or trimalleolar depending on how many parts are broken.
What determines treatment is not simply which bones are broken but whether the talus still sits centred in its socket. The ankle tolerates displacement very poorly; even a small shift concentrates load onto a fraction of the joint surface and leads to arthritis years later. Restoring that alignment is the whole point of treatment.
Diagnosis
X-rays taken in several views establish which bones are broken and whether the joint is aligned. Stress views or weightbearing X-rays are sometimes added to reveal instability that is not obvious on a resting film. CT is used for fractures involving the back of the tibia or the joint surface, where the detail changes the surgical plan.
Treatment without surgery
A fracture that is stable and in good position can be treated in a boot or cast. That means the joint stays aligned when the ankle is loaded, which is why a stability assessment matters. These fractures are followed with repeat X-rays during the early weeks, because a small number shift and declare themselves late.
Surgery
Fractures that are displaced or unstable are treated with open reduction and internal fixation: the bone fragments are put back into anatomic position and held there with plates and screws while they heal. Where the ligaments between the tibia and fibula have been disrupted, that relationship is stabilized as well.
The hardware is generally left in place permanently and causes no problems. If it becomes prominent or painful, it can be removed once the fracture has fully healed, usually around a year, and that recovery is much quicker than the original operation.
Recovery
Bone healing sets the timeline. Expect a period with no weight on the ankle in a splint and then a boot, followed by graded weight bearing and physical therapy to restore motion, strength, and balance.
Swelling after an ankle fracture is substantial and long-lasting — six months to a year of gradual improvement is normal, and elevation in the early weeks is the single most effective thing you can do about it. Stiffness is the other common legacy, which is why therapy matters. You will receive a written protocol covering each stage.
What are the Risks and Complications of an Ankle Fracture Treatment?
The risks and complications that can occur with ankle fracture treatment include improper casting or improper alignment of the bones which can cause deformities and eventually arthritis. In some cases, pressure exerted on the nerves can cause nerve damage, resulting in severe pain.
Rarely, surgery may result in incomplete healing of the fracture, which requires another surgery for repair.
If you would like to have additional information on the treatment of ankle fractures, please contact Benjamin R. Williams, M.D., serving the communities of Bloomington, Burnsville, MN.
