The bones in the ankle that are prone to breaking are the tibia, fibula, and talus. The tibia and fibula can be felt on the outside of the ankle, while the talus is deep within the ankle. If significant pressure is applied to these bones from occurrences such as a car accident, falling or tripping, the impact of heavy weight, overuse, or a misstep, can all result in a break. A broken ankle can lead to loss of blood supply, damage to neighboring tissues, improper healing, and sharp pieces of bone from the break compressing or severing nearby nerves or blood vessels. It is important to see a podiatrist if you have broken your ankle in order to obtain proper treatment and to prevent more serious complications from arising.
Broken ankles need immediate treatment. If you are seeking treatment, contact one of our podiatrists from Toe-tal Family Footcare Associates. Our doctors can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.
Broken Ankles
A broken ankle is experienced when a person fractures their tibia or fibula in the lower leg and ankle area. Both of these bones are attached at the bottom of the leg and combine to form what we know to be our ankle.
When a physician is referring to a break of the ankle, he or she is usually referring to a break in the area where the tibia and fibula are joined to create our ankle joint. Ankles are more prone to fractures because the ankle is an area that suffers a lot of pressure and stress. There are some obvious signs when a person experiences a fractured ankle, and the following symptoms may be present.
Symptoms of a Fractured Ankle
- Excessive pain when the area is touched or when any pressure is placed on the ankle
- Swelling around the area
- Bruising of the area
- Area appears to be deformed
If you suspect an ankle fracture, it is recommended to seek treatment as soon as possible. The sooner you have your podiatrist diagnose the fracture, the quicker you’ll be on the way towards recovery.
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our office located in Vista, CA and Las Vegas, NV . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.