Ankle Fractures Specialist in Massapequa NY
A fractured ankle may consist of a stress fracture or it may involve a partial or whole displacement of the ankle bone. The most frequent fracture of the lower extremities, ankle fractures are most frequently brought on by twisting the ankle. You could require surgery on your ankle, depending on the extent and seriousness of the fractured bones. Visit Dr. Paul Dicpinigaitis MD to receive the most effective care for your fractured ankle. For more information, contact us or schedule an appointment online. We are conveniently located at 5840 Merrick Road Massapequa, NY 11758.
Table of Contents:
What are the types of ankle fractures?
Can you walk on a fractured ankle?
How long does it take for an ankle fracture to heal?
Can an ankle fracture heal on its own?
Any fracture can cause a significant disruption in your life, especially those in an area of the body that you depend on to do routine tasks. Ankle fractures can make the simplest of tasks incredibly challenging, such as walking, getting out of bed, or standing up from a sitting position. Our medical experts at Dr. Paul Dicpinigaitis, MD, would be happy to provide you with first-rate treatment if you have suffered an ankle fracture to help you heal quickly and thoroughly!
In total, three bones comprise your ankle joint: the lower portion of the tibia (shinbone), the lower part of the fibula, and the talus bone, which separates the heel bone from the tibia and fibula. The tibia is the broader bone in your calf, often referred to as the shinbone, while the fibula is the slenderer calf bone that extends from the knee to the ankle. These three bones in your ankle can be affected by eight different kinds of fractures, which are as follows:
• Bimalleolar ankle fracture: involves both bony “knobs” on either side of the ankle, including both the fibula and tibia bone.
• Bimalleolar equivalent fracture: occurs when the ligaments in the ankle are torn in addition to the fractured fibula and tibia ankle knobs.
• Lateral malleolus fracture: involves the lower portion of the fibula, or the knob on the outside of your ankle.
• Medial malleolus fracture: involves the lower portion of the tibia, or the knob on the inside of your ankle.
• Pilon fracture: occurs at the top of the ankle and bottom of the shinbone, or tibia, and often involves the fibula, as well.
• Posterior malleolus fracture: occurs at the back of the tibia in the ankle joint.
• Talus fracture: involves a break in the talus, which lies between the tibia, fibula, and heel bone.
• Trimalleolar fracture: occurs when all three parts of the ankle, the medial, lateral, and posterior, are all fractured.
Whether or not you will be able to walk on a fractured ankle depends on the severity of the fracture. As such, you should be able to continue walking after a minor ankle fracture, albeit with a limp, while more severe breaks will prevent you from walking for anywhere from several weeks to a few months.
Ankle fractures typically take at least four to six weeks to heal. However, that number will inevitably vary depending on the severity of the fracture and the patient’s age or health. Moreover, it can take several months to a full year to completely recover from an ankle fracture that requires surgery.
While some minor ankle fractures can heal independently, it is best to seek medical attention for any suspected ankle fractures in case treatment is required for proper healing to occur. If an ankle fracture that requires treatment is left untreated, it can lead to a non-union wherein the bone does not fuse back together and results in persistent pain, swelling, and tenderness in the injury area. Moreover, arthritis often follows in the joints of untreated ankle fractures.
If you have experienced an ankle fracture, our board-certified physicians can provide excellent treatment at Dr. Paul Dicpinigaitis, MD, in Massapequa, NY! For an appointment, we welcome you to schedule one through our website or call us from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM on Monday through Thursday or on Friday from 7:30 AM to 3:30 PM.
