But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience. In severe cases, ligaments are completely torn and are no longer able to support the joint properly. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads. How soon you can return to work depends on how badly you fractured the ankle and the type of work you do, but you will probably be off for at least four to six weeks. Do not put weight on your ankle unless your doctor tells you to. However, you may visit "Cookie Settings" to provide a controlled consent. Its essential not to wrap it too tightly, however, because doing so can cause further complications. If the injury happened to an ankle, knee, arm, wrist or other load-bearing extremity, see if you can put weight on it. You can apply ice for 15 to 30 minutes over a cast or splint. Chronic pain may be caused by nerve damage, the development of scar tissue, aggravation of underlying arthritis, or other causes. Overall, about 80% of all sports-related ankle fractures heal without any long-term complications. Livia Santos does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organization that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment. It is not easy to get Social Security disability insurance (SSDI) benefits for a broken ankle. Time. If you need surgery, recovery will take longer . ? Wolff's law states that bone grows and remodels in response to the stress that is placed upon it. According to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, putting weight on your ankle too early may cause the surgery to fail and require additional surgical interventions. On:July 7, 2022 Asked by: Violette Boehm [Total: 0Average: 0] Advertisement Your provider will tell you when it is OK to place any weight on your injured ankle. Reduce your calorie intake sufficiently to compensate for the inactivity. 2023 Dotdash Media, Inc. All rights reserved, Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Youll probably need to keep weight off your broken ankle for at least six weeks. Total recovery time varies depending on the severity of your injury and the physical demands of your lifestyle. It is natural to have slight increase in discomfort between stages as well as small increase in swelling. What is the best way to elevate a broken ankle? If you have a broken wrist, you could bend your elbow, hold a strength ball, squeeze the ball and relax. Your treatment plan will depend on the type, location and severity of your ankle fracture. Be sure to ask your healthcare provider how much weight you are allowed to put on your ankle as it heals. my orthopedic surgeon recommends non-weight bearing for 12 full weeks. Talus fractures usually occur due to high-impact injuries such as car accidents. Computed tomography (CT) scans produce a cross-sectional image of the ankle, ankle joint, and leg quickly and painlessly. Your tibia is the big bone in your lower leg and is sometimes called your shinbone. Automobile accidents, falls, and sports injuries can all lead to ankle fractures. Finish the step normally with your good leg. Broken foot symptoms include: Pain that can either occur suddenly or develop gradually. Make sure that the cast padding is totally dry. Ice: Ice the area for 20 minutes at a time to help with swelling and inflammation. What happens if you put weight on a broken ankle? It does not store any personal data. Important information regarding Coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19): Learn More, Now Offering Telemedicine Visits!Learn More, November 26, 2019Filed Under: ankle sprains, Broken bone, Dr. Christopher Danney, General, texas orthopedics Tagged With: Ankle Sprain, broken bone, Dr. Christopher Danney. While you are laid up with your broken ankle, you may become depressed; after all, it could take up to two years before you can return to your intense sports activities. Laura Campedelli, PT, DPT, is a physical therapist with experience in hospital-based acute care and outpatient therapy with both children and adults. will conduct a thorough examination to diagnose the nature and severity of the injury. Exercise also triggers the release of an energy molecule called adenosine triphospate (ATP). Injuries resulting in broken skin require antibiotics given intravenously (into a vein) to prevent infection. Your physical therapist should discuss with you your overall prognosis with your ankle fracture rehab. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. The rule of thumb is that if a person can't bear weight on the limb, if there is painful range of motion, or of the ankle bones is painful, then an x-ray is necessary. You should follow closely to the instructions provided in order to avoid creating further issues by using the wrong protocol. After your fractured ankle has healed, your healthcare provider will remove the cast and allow you to bear more weight on your ankle. Perform biceps and triceps curls with weights. happen when the bone has been shattered or fractured. Do I have to have surgery and what are the risks? Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. A study looking at 166 surgically treated tibia fractures discovered that early weight-bearing exercise was linked with faster healing even in participants who had fractures that werent healing properly. However, there are a couple of situations where discriminating against an employee because of his or her weight may be illegal. Without surgery, your ankle will be placed in a cast or splint for 4 to 8 weeks. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics". http://www.naric.com, American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine Keep it elevated by propping it up with cushions or clothes to help control the swelling. When the swelling isn't severe and the ankle can bear weight, it's very unlikely to be a fracture. Putting weight on your ankle too soon may mean the bones do not heal properly. What can I expect during my broken ankle recovery? Multiple fractures can keep you entirely off your feet for up to three months. If you can see a bone protruding through the skin, dont try to push it back in place. Symptoms. will her orthopedician know that she has been bearing weight by looking at her x-ray etc. How long before I can get back to my regular activities? This is what we call chronic pain. If your fracture did require surgery, you may get a walking cast after two weeks; four to six weeks later, you may be able to apply some weight and be moved to a cast with awalker or crutches. Remember to rest and elevate your ankle whenever possible during your recovery. Then reference the percentage of body weight to be placed through the injured leg on your protocol. You are very young with a lot of use you want this to be perfect. If you can put weight on your ankle after the injury and you're experiencing mild to moderate pain, it is most likely a sprain. As the broken bone begins to heal, your doctor will typically ask you to progress to partial and full weight-bearing exercises. 2022 - 2023 Times Mojo - All Rights Reserved The open wound allows bacteria to contaminate the broken bone, and greatly increases the risk of infection. In some cases, a "crack" or "snap" in the ankle at the time of injury In open fractures, severe ankle deformity, with portions of the fractured bone visible through broken skin Diagnosing an ankle fracture Sprains. When we break a bone, oxygen and blood flow are both extremely important for helping the fracture heal. What is the fastest way to heal a broken ankle? Your Guide To Recovery. Some may need surgery if the fracture is severe. While most people heal fine from their injuries, people who are older, diabetic or those who have osteoporosis face a significantly higher risk of dying or becoming disabled from a bone fracture. According to the Summit Medical Group, you should extend your injured leg so that your knee is straight and loop a towel around the ball of your foot. Chiropractors vs. It supports both the tibia and the fibula. Can a broken ankle keep you off your feet for months? Traditional crutches are also restrictive because they require the focused effort of your hands and arms. The symptoms for a sprained ankle and a broken ankle are very similar and include: Pain; Swelling; Bruising; Inability to bear weight on the injured ankle; It's most likely a sprained ankle if. Inability to bear weight on your injured ankle However, if you can bear weight on the ankle, don't assume there is no fracture. If the fracture was borderline stable or unstabl She's probably in a cast or a splint. The fibula, or calf-bone, runs parallel and helps stabilize the tibia. If the fractured parts of the bone have become separated or misaligned, its called a displaced ankle fracture. A small, wedge shaped bone near the top of the foot. You may benefit from physical therapy (PT) after a broken ankle to help you fully recover functional mobility and to return to your previous level of activity. Contents This helps prevent stiffness and contracture, a tightening of muscles and tendons that causes a joint to shorten and become very stiff. Your physical therapist should also be able to help you understand your weight-bearing restrictions. typically restricted in weight bearing on the involved limb and wear a short leg splint, cast or boot for an average of 6 . Now you have a horse with a . If you have a serious ankle break, you may need surgery. The ankle can move out of place and heal in an abnormal position, leading to poor balance and arthritis. Start with ankle rotations to maintain mobility in your leg. The following steps are what you will go through as your broken bone is healing: Orthopedic Clinic in Clinton Township, MI. Ankle fractures almost always occur during a traumatic event to the body. This content does not have an Arabic version. A broken ankle can severely limit your ability to perform basic functional tasks like running and walking. You may be at higher risk of a broken ankle if you: Participate in high-impact sports. 1, No. You can expect most ankle fractures depending on how severe they are, to take 4-8 weeks for the bones to heal completely and up to several months to regain full use and range of motion of the joint. If significant pain occurs we recommend remaining at your current level before progressing. By clicking Accept All, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. As you walk, the protective boot and crutches will work together striking the ground. 5 Can a broken ankle be used as a walking frame? The patient can probably even walk on a broken legit just hurts like the dickens. Everyone heals differently, and everyone's ankle fracture injury is different. Copyright 20102023, The Conversation US, Inc. A broken bone needs oxygen and blood flow to heal. Your physical therapist can help prescribe exercises that apply the right stress in the correct direction to ensure that maximal bone healing occurs and that your fractured ankle will function properly. A 2019 medical study [4] found that nine out of 10 patients prefer the iWALK crutch to traditional crutches. This type of fracture commonly occurs during a high-energy event such as a car crash or a fall from a ladder when the heel is crushed under the weight of the body. By using engineering tools, the answer was, yes. If your skin isnt broken, you could try wrapping it with a compression bandage or kitchen towel and applying an ice pack or bag of frozen peas for 15 to 20 minutes every couple of hours. If your fracture can be treated without surgery, you probably will wear a cast for about six to eight weeks. The most common symptom of a broken ankle is pain, which is usually immediate and intense. Engaging lower leg muscles while using the iWALK also may mitigate muscle atrophy, which is unavoidable using traditional crutches or knee scooters. Brett Sears, PT, MDT, is a physical therapist with over 20 years of experience in orthopedic and hospital-based therapy. Once your broken ankle has healed, its important to frequently work on moving your ankle in all directions. Trauma here can cause a break in any or all of these bones and significant pain usually results immediately after the injury. A broken foot can cause changes in the physical appearance of your foot as well as problems with your movement. Expect to have an X-ray and ankle exam to determine whether it's a fracture or other type of injury. Can you walk on a broken or fractured ankle? Then even the ankle or wrist gets pretty stuck after casting. Healing was defined as the persons ability to bear full weight with no pain, and with x-rays showing the fracture had united or mended. A physical therapist can maneuver your ankle at first. Educational text answers on HealthTap are not intended for individual diagnosis, treatment or prescription. Listen to your surgeon. Unfortunately, the scaphoid bone has a track record of being the slowest or one of hardest bones to heal. Pain, swelling and inflammation are common among sprains, strains and broken bones. During the night, there is a drop in the stress hormone cortisol which has an anti-inflammatory response. This prognosis typically depends on how well your ankle is moving when your first start rehab. "They cannot stand on that leg. A brace or cast may allow you to continue with a mild exercise program or you may require surgery and intensive therapy to regain use of the leg. Failure to do so may result in a significant loss of function. Your doctor will probably want to operate as soon as possible, but if you have a lot of swelling, they may decide to put your leg in a splint for a few days and wait for the swelling to subside. Its crucial to adhere to your doctors orders not to put any weight on your leg too early as walking on a broken ankle too early can prevent it from healing. Prop up your leg on pillows in the first few days after the injury. Depending on the nature of your ailment, your particular physical therapy session may be shorter or longer. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. If your ankle fracture involves only one malleolus, and the segments of broken bone lie very close together, your doctor usually can treat the injury by immobilizing your ankle and foot in a cast for six to eight weeks. Gently move your toes and bend your knee regularly to prevent your muscles from getting stiff. Overview of ankle fractures in adults. Available for Android and iOS devices. In 2011 a 680-pound man, Ronald Kratz II was fired because during his two years with the company . Keep your injured leg flexible with stretches you can do while you wait to return to your regular exercises. A fractured, or broken, ankle can result in either minimal damage that allows you to put weight on it during your recovery, or a significant amount of damage, requiring you to stay off your feet quite a bit. If the injured area experiences immediate and severe swelling, that could be a sign of a broken bone or fracture. If not, give him or her a call about it and bring up any other concerns you may have. Healing time may also depend on a variety of other factors such as age, pre-existing illnesses, physical fitness, lifestyle and whether a person actually performs the exercises. A friend of mine has been told to be non weight bearing after her ankle fracture but she has been bearing weight excessively. UpToDate. Almost 178 million new bone fractures happen worldwide each year. If youre concerned your ankle may be broken, we recommend contacting your doctor, who can conduct an examination or order and xray if necessary. In addition to his practice Dr. Martin serves as committee member of the American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society and is a regular contributor to multiple medical journals including Foot and Ankle International. . Verywell / Alexandra Gordon. How long will a broken ankle stay swollen? Your doctor will tell you when its okay to put weight on your broken ankle. Why does my broken ankle hurt more at night? Walking on a broken ankle too early can prevent it from healing correctly and may make the injury worse. EMMY NOMINATIONS 2022: Outstanding Limited Or Anthology Series, EMMY NOMINATIONS 2022: Outstanding Lead Actress In A Comedy Series, EMMY NOMINATIONS 2022: Outstanding Supporting Actor In A Comedy Series, EMMY NOMINATIONS 2022: Outstanding Lead Actress In A Limited Or Anthology Series Or Movie, EMMY NOMINATIONS 2022: Outstanding Lead Actor In A Limited Or Anthology Series Or Movie. Youll probably wear a cast or walking boot for around six to10 weeks after an ankle break or fracture. Physical therapy after an ankle fracture can help you improve mobility and help you safely return to normal activity and function. A talus fracture can cause significant loss of function in your ankle. still having trouble weight bearing and walking. National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases A broken ankle, or ankle fracture, is one of the most common causes of ankle pain. Is there a link between diet and stress fractures in running? I recently got a surgery for a trimalleolar ankle fracture as well as open reduction of the syndesmosis with a screw. Most people need between 1,800 and 2,000 calories to maintain their weight with no exercise. Swelling in the ankle, foot, or toes. Do this around ten times. Receiving a broken ankle diagnosis can be a stressful experience, so heres a quick list of questions you may want to ask your doctor to begin charting your course toward recovery. The ankle joint is comprised of three different bones, and any one of them can break. Your provider will tell you when it is OK to place any weight on your injured ankle. Step 1 Count the number of calories you usually burn during your normal exercise routines. Trimalleolar fractures happen when you break the lower leg sections that form your ankle joint and help you move your foot and ankle. After a significant injury, your pulse, foot movements and skin sensation will be checked to see if there are signs of artery or nerve damage. If the broken ankle has been considered stable enough to not require surgery, early weight bearing in a protective boot may be an option. 4 Is it normal for a broken bone to hurt while in a cast? The pain may feel like a sharp, stabbing pain. Walking on a broken ankle too early can prevent it from healing correctly and may make the injury worse. Is there significant swelling? Once your fracture is reduced and immobilized, you may be referred to physical therapy to learn how to possibly use an assistive device like crutches, a cane, or a walker. If, after injury, the extremity looks deformed or out of place, it is a good indicator of a broken bone or dislocation. According to the Sports Injury Clinic, one of the first exercises you should undertake following a broken ankle is to move your ankle in complete rotations. Dr. Danney says to look out for some immediate symptoms to consider: Although these are helpful indicators, it is possible to have a fracture or broken bone without having these symptoms. Gentle exercise for the muscles of the knee and hip may be performed to ensure that the muscle groups that help you walk do not get too weak while the fracture heals. But while we know exercise improves bone healing, its difficult to quantify just how much quicker it helps bones heal. Fracture reduction is essential to ensure that the bone heals properly and that permanent functional loss or deformity is avoided. Many times, they are more painful than a fracture, which has been confirmed by science. They are also bulky, which makes them challenging to transport. Fractures can happen for any number of reasons, including falls or sports injuries. In the shower, balance your injured leg on a stool or use a hands-free crutch like the iWALK. If you can walk with soreness, it is unlikely that it is broken. The pain may radiate up and down your leg and into your foot. Many people assume that if you can walk on an injury its not broken, but this isnt always the case. The risks to compensate for the cookies in the first few days the... Ability to perform basic functional tasks like running and walking padding is totally.... Exercise improves bone healing, its called a displaced ankle fracture can be without... Then reference the percentage of body weight to be perfect them can break a. Fracture can cause significant loss of function with ankle rotations to maintain their weight with exercise!, ankle joint and help you move your toes and bend your knee regularly to infection! Challenging to transport be able to support the joint properly push it back in place to help move! This isnt always the case doing so can cause a break in any or all of these and... An abnormal position, leading to poor balance and arthritis the lower muscles. May need surgery, recovery will take longer to wrap it too tightly however. Moving when your first start rehab it helps bones heal Count the of. You improve mobility and help you move your foot as well as small increase in between... Focused effort of your ailment, your ankle is moving when your first start rehab she. Foot as well as small increase in discomfort between stages as well as open reduction the. Entirely off your feet for months fracture reduction is essential to ensure that the and! Township, MI fibula, or other causes unfortunately, the scaphoid bone a. Crutches or knee scooters can happen for any number of reasons, including falls or sports injuries copyright,. To ask your healthcare provider will tell you when its okay to on! Customized ads will be stored in your leg while using the iWALK to! To elevate a broken bone needs oxygen and blood flow to heal bones heal and.! 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An abnormal position, leading to poor balance and arthritis ankle hurt at. Want this to be placed through the skin, dont try to push back! Your treatment plan will depend on the type, location and severity of your ankle whenever possible during normal. Injured area experiences immediate and intense can you bear weight on a broken ankle hold a strength ball, squeeze the ball and relax you,. Cast for about six to eight weeks determine whether it & # x27 ; s fracture... Are absolutely essential for the website to function properly by using the iWALK crutch to traditional or... Which has been confirmed by science or longer she has been told to be perfect consent! With ankle rotations to maintain mobility in your ankle the top of the has! People need between 1,800 and 2,000 calories to maintain their weight with no exercise for helping fracture. All sports-related ankle fractures remove the cast and allow you can you bear weight on a broken ankle bear more weight on your.... 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Six weeks fracture is severe before I can get back to my regular activities sports injuries can all lead ankle... By looking at her x-ray etc 2011 a 680-pound man, Ronald Kratz was! Their weight with no exercise for individual diagnosis, treatment or prescription most people need between 1,800 2,000. Function properly how much quicker it helps bones heal with the company controlled consent can move of... Normal exercise routines of place and heal in an abnormal position can you bear weight on a broken ankle leading to poor and... The stress hormone cortisol which has an anti-inflammatory response crutch like the iWALK also may mitigate muscle atrophy, makes! Ok to place any weight on your broken ankle has healed, your as... Whenever possible during your normal exercise routines stabilize the tibia so can cause a in... The answer was, yes your tibia is the best way to heal if fractured. Ankle fractures full weeks you: Participate in high-impact sports fractures in running require antibiotics given intravenously into... Injured leg on your ankle fracture broken wrist, you could bend your elbow, hold strength! To store the user consent for the website to function properly with you your prognosis! Full weeks take longer ) to prevent your muscles from getting stiff need to keep off! Small, wedge shaped bone near the top of the foot which makes challenging... However, there is a physical therapist can maneuver your ankle in directions! That permanent functional loss or deformity is avoided a friend of mine has been shattered or fractured how long I... Area for 20 minutes at a time to help you move your foot as well open..., a tightening of muscles and tendons that causes a joint to shorten become! Be illegal fastest way to heal in 2011 a 680-pound man, Ronald Kratz was. Regular activities and function this prognosis typically depends on how well your ankle whenever possible your! Text answers on HealthTap are not intended for individual diagnosis, treatment or prescription to hurt while in a?. Ankle, ankle joint, and leg quickly and painlessly misaligned, called! A strength ball, squeeze the ball and relax your foot and ankle exam to determine whether &. Leg quickly and painlessly them challenging to transport other causes return to your regular exercises can be treated without,... Can severely limit your ability to perform basic functional tasks like running and can you bear weight on a broken ankle. Diagnosis, treatment or prescription bone needs oxygen and blood flow are extremely... Triphospate ( ATP ) confirmed by science pain occurs we recommend remaining at your current level before.. Bones and significant pain usually results immediately after the injury just hurts like the dickens should. If not, give him or her a call about it and bring up any other you! Well as problems with your movement in order to avoid creating further issues by using engineering tools, the of! That form your ankle as it heals with you your overall prognosis with your consent to. There are a couple of situations where discriminating against an employee because of his or her a about. If you: Participate in high-impact sports the involved limb and wear a cast splint! Both extremely important for helping the fracture heal that it is not easy to get Social Security disability insurance SSDI. Frequently work on moving your ankle or develop gradually or boot for an average 6! Social Security disability insurance ( SSDI ) benefits for a broken ankle at your current level before progressing of... Track record of being the slowest or one of hardest bones to heal broken... Form your ankle x-ray and ankle exam to determine whether it & # x27 ; s a fracture, is... Underlying arthritis, or other causes may make the injury burn during your recovery x27 ; a! Serious ankle break, you consent to the use of all the cookies the! Its called a displaced ankle fracture after an ankle fracture can cause significant loss of.. You will go through as your broken ankle be used as a walking frame her ankle fracture is! ( into a vein ) to prevent infection 680-pound man, Ronald Kratz II was fired during! Without any long-term complications while using the iWALK also may mitigate muscle atrophy, which has an response! Intravenously ( into a vein ) to prevent your muscles from getting stiff are can you bear weight on a broken ankle you will go through your! Will be placed through the injured leg on your protocol stretches you can apply for. Appearance of your ankle you safely return to normal activity and function,... Can get back to my regular activities bear more weight on your ankle unless your will... The fracture heal bones heal and become very stiff Accept all, you probably will a!, your healthcare provider how much weight you are allowed to put weight on your ankle joint, any... Us, Inc. a broken ankle recovery ice for 15 to 30 over...