Foot and ankle surgery is essential if you suffer an ankle fracture or broken ankle. Ankle fractures can involve clean-cut fractures or shattered bones. If you have suffered a fracture, Dr. Marque A. Allen DPM, FACFAS can help restore your fractured ankle function.
Causes of foot and ankle injuries
The most common causes of foot and ankle injuries include:
- Direct trauma from contact sports
- Slips and falls
- Trauma from a car accident
Treatment options
The type of surgery your surgeon will use depends on the fracture’s complexity. After extensive evaluation and medical history, your podiatrist will recommend the most suitable treatment. Based on the diagnostic testing, your specialist might recommend surgery if you have broken bones.
If you have one that is clean-cut and still in place, your surgery might be straightforward because your surgeon might not need to use extra splints on your leg.
If you have a fracture with a shattered bone, your specialist will have to remove the little pieces of the broken bone and repair the remaining part. After the repair, they might stitch the area closed if the bone pierced the skin.
Surgical procedure and steps
The first step your surgeon will undertake is reduction. In this step, your surgeon will move all your bones to their prior position. If your ankle is broken into pieces, your surgeon might recommend reconstructive surgery, where they will add metal plates for stability and remove them when your bones heal.
Afterward, your surgeon will fit a cast or splint for immobilization to promote quick healing. Your specialist will give you specific instructions, including not exerting pressure on your ankle and elevating it to avoid swelling. Your surgeon will prescribe you pain medications to deal with the pain.
Recovery
Your recovery from foot and ankle surgery will depend on the type of surgery you will undergo. You might start to recover after three months for straightforward cases, while you might take up to a year for complex procedures.
Tips to help you minimize ankle fractures
Although it can be impossible to prevent an occurrence like a car accident, you can easily prevent a slip and fall. You will likely slip and fall if you walk on wet and slippery floors. You can always wait until the floor is dry before using the area.
If you play contact sports, you must wear protective gear to protect vulnerable parts of your body. Furthermore, you need to stretch your muscles and increase the flexibility of your joints to minimize sports injuries.
Maintaining a healthy weight and eating a balanced diet promotes healthy joints and bones. Eat wholesome foods full of calcium for strong bones and lots of fruits and vegetables. Stay away from sugary and saturated fats that will not promote healthy cells.
If you have a broken ankle, visit Sports Medicine Associates for treatment. You will receive personalized treatment from qualified and friendly staff depending on the complexity of your fracture. Call or book an appointment online and restore your movement.
