Surgical procedure to realign and stabilize broken ankle bones.
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Ankle fracture surgery
Ankle fracture surgery is performed when the injury is complex and cannot be treated with conservative methods such as casts or splints. The procedure involves making an incision in the skin to expose the fractured bones. The surgeon then realigns the bone fragments and stabilizes them using metal plates, screws, or pins. These implants help keep the bones in their correct position while bone healing occurs. The choice of fixation type will depend on the severity and location of the fracture.
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The ankle joint is made up of three bones: the tibia, the fibula, and the talus. Ankle injuries are common in athletes and people who perform physical labor and can be a torn ligament (a sprain) or a broken bone (a fracture). Ankle fractures are painful and involve a break in one or more of the bones, and ligaments and other soft tissues may also be injured.
Causes include excessive twisting and turning of the ankle from accidents, jumping, or falls. Symptoms are immediate swelling, pain, reduced mobility, and sometimes a visible deformity where a bone protrudes through the skin.
Ankle fractures are classified by the location and type of bone involved. Types include:
- Lateral malleolus fracture: A fracture of the outer part of the ankle.
- Medial malleolus fracture: A fracture of the inner part of the ankle.
- Posterior malleolus fracture: A fracture of the bony prominence of the tibia.
- Bimalleolar fractures: Fractures in both the lateral and medial malleolus bones.
- Trimalleolar fractures: Fractures in all three bones: lateral, medial, and posterior.
- Syndesmotic injury: Also known as a high ankle sprain, which is not a fracture but may be treated as such.
Diagnosis begins with a physical exam, followed by X-rays and a CT scan. It's difficult to differentiate a broken ankle from a sprain or dislocation without an X-ray. A stress test may be used to check the stability of the fracture and determine if surgery is needed. Immediately after an injury, apply ice packs and keep the foot elevated. Treatment depends on the type and stability of the fracture and can be non-surgical (splint or cast) or surgical (plates and screws).