Our board-certified podiatrists at the Los Angeles Institute of Foot and Ankle Surgery offer treatment for ankle fractures in Burbank, CA. We also have offices in Santa Clarita, CA, and Northridge, CA, offering diagnostic and treatment plans to patients to help them resume normal ankle function. Below we have put together a guide on what you need to know about ankle fractures.
What Is Termed As An Ankle Fracture?
This fracture is also referred to as a broken ankle. This means that one or multiple bones in the ankle joint are broken. One can suffer a minor fracture where only a simple bone breaks. Here, you will still be able to walk. But if you suffer several fractures, forcing your ankle out of place, you will be ordered not to put any weight on the ankle for a couple of months.
In other words, the more bones are fractured, the more unsteady your ankle will be. You may also have damaged ligaments. Ankle ligaments hold the ankle bones and joints in position.
Causes of Ankle Fracture
Your ankle’s structure is made up of bones working intricately together to allow you to move. Fracturing even one of these bones can lead to extreme pain and impair your mobility. When that happens, we suggest you see one of our doctors immediately and get treatment. This allows for quick recovery and eases your pain. Anyone can suffer from an ankle fracture in Burbank, CA. However, you are more at risk if you have weak ankles. With that said, here are some common causes of an ankle fracture.
- Stress or impact from falling or tripping
- Twisting, rolling, or rotating the ankle
- Impact to the ankle during a car accident
- Over-extending or over-flexing the joint
How Is an Ankle Fracture Diagnosed and Treated?
When you come to our office, your doctor will ask about your medical history, how the injury happened and what symptoms you have experienced. He will then carefully examine your leg. This requires imaging tests like X-rays. An X-ray will show whether you have a broken bone or if there is a displacement. It will show how many bones are broken.
If the bone is stable, you will not need surgery. The doctor will ask you to use a short leg cast or high-top tennis shoe for some time. You will also need to visit the doctor several times for monitoring. If the leg is unstable, meaning the bones are out of place, you may need surgery to realign the bones.
Allow our doctor in Burbank, CA, to check that ankle fracture and suggest the right treatment. With offices also in Santa Clarita, CA, and Northridge, CA, we strive to provide quality treatment for our patients.
Are you suffering from an ankle structure? Contact the team at the Los Angeles Institute of Foot and Ankle Surgery at (818) 848-5588 and schedule your appointment.