Licensed orthopedic surgeon Dr. Nabil Ebraheim serves as the chairman and director of orthopedic surgery at the University of Toledo Medical Center in Toledo, Ohio. Dr. Nabil Ebraheim maintains a professional interest in areas such as bone healing and treatment of fractures including ankle fractures.
The ankle joint consists of three bones: the tibia, which is the shin bone and forms the major bone in the lower leg; the fibula, a smaller bone paralleling the tibia; and the talus, which is nestled at the very lower ends of the tibia and the fibula. The three ankle bones are held together by ligaments, which are essentially fibers that stabilize the ankle.
Many ankle injuries are caused by straining the ankle joints beyond their capacity. If the ligaments tear, then the ankle is sprained. However, if the bones break, this is considered an ankle fracture. Ankle fractures refer to a complete or partial breakage of the bones in the ankle.
Some of the common symptoms of ankle fractures include: pain centralized in the area of the fracture, swelling, tenderness, bruising, or deformity of the structure of the ankle joint. If a doctor suspects you have an ankle fracture, he or she will recommend an X-ray of the injured part of your leg to confirm the fracture.
Medical treatment for ankle fractures involves bone realignment and immobilization by wearing a cast or splint over the ankle. Depending on the severity of the fracture, surgery may be required to keep bones in place during the healing process.
