What is an ankle fracture?
A fracture is a partial or complete break in a bone. In the ankle, fractures can range from the less serious avulsion injuries (small pieces of bone that have been pulled off) to severe shattering-type breaks of the tibia, fibula, or both. Ankle fractures are common injuries that are most often caused by the ankle rolling inward or outward. Many people mistake an ankle fracture for an ankle sprain, but they are quite different and therefore require an accurate and early diagnosis. They sometimes occur simultaneously. What are the Signs and Symptoms of an Ankle Fracture? An ankle fracture is accompanied by one or all of these signs and symptoms: • Pain at the site of the fracture, which in some cases can extend from the foot to the knee • Significant swelling, which may occur along the length of the leg or may be more localized • Blisters may occur over the fracture site. These should be promptly treated by Dr. Neuhaus. • Bruising, which develops soon after the injury. • Inability to wa
