![]() ![]() They will begin treatment to help you gain back your strength, range of motion, balance, and sports skills so you can return to your regular activities. Your physical therapist will work with you to safely progress to putting weight on your ankle. When an X-ray confirms that the fracture has healed, your doctor will remove your cast. Your physical therapist will teach you how to walk using crutches or a walker and manage steps and curbs. The surgeon will give instructions as you may or may not be allowed to put any weight on the involved ankle for about six to 10 weeks. They will help you sit on the bedside, get up and out of bed, and then balance to stand on your uninjured leg. A physical therapist will visit your hospital room once you are medically stable. If your ankle fracture requires surgery, your doctor will cast it or provide you with a fracture boot to stabilize it post-surgery. ![]() Recommend further care by an orthopedic doctor or emergency department.Instruct you to walk without putting weight on the injured ankle, using crutches or a walker.Instruct you to keep the injured ankle elevated to control swelling.Immobilize your ankle by wrapping it with an ace wrap or applying a stirrup brace to limit motion and control swelling.If you require surgery, you may see a physical therapist prior to surgery, who will: This treatment will be done in the hospital emergency room or, if needed, with surgery. Initial treatment involves realigning and stabilizing the bones by a doctor, often with a cast. If you have an ankle fracture, treatment will depend on the number of broken bones and whether you have a simple, complex, or compound fracture. Physical therapy also can help you safely regain strength in the ankle you have not used during casting. Whether or not you have surgery, a physical therapist can help restore proper joint movement and flexibility after your cast comes off. Also, sometimes surgery and casting are needed to repair a fracture. When ankle fractures require immobilization using casting or a protective boot, or the use of crutches to get around, your joints can become stiff. There also is a higher risk for infection for individuals with a compound fracture. When a fracture involves several broken bones, or the bones do not line up, the fracture is unstable and requires immediate treatment. There is severe damage to the soft tissue surrounding the broken bone(s). The bone or bones splinter, or small pieces of bone break off. ![]() The two parts of the broken bone do not line up. The pieces of the broken bone remain lined up. Fractures occur at three sites: the fibula, tibia, and the posterior malleolus (located on the back of the tibia).įractures are measured in severity by whether they are: Two bones break: the fibula and the tibia. Only the tibia (the bone on the inside of the ankle) breaks. Only the fibula (the bone on the outside of the ankle) breaks. There are several ankle fracture types based on the number of bones broken. Surgery is not usually required for a stable fracture.An ankle fracture is when a bone on one or both sides of the ankle joint breaks, completely or partially. Taping and/or an ankle brace may be used when returning to activities that require a change of support, especially for those with unstable ankles. Rehabilitation exercises are similar to that of a sprained ankle. Graded exposure to impact activities and return to play protocols if you wish to return to sport. This involves strengthening and mobility exercises of the foot and ankle. Upon removal of the boot, rehabilitation can last for 4-6 weeks. Historically a cast was used, but the walker boot allows for greater function and equivalent healing response.ĭuring this period, Physical Therapy can begin to maintain the mobility of the surrounding tissues, such as the Calf, Peroneal, and Posterior Tibialis muscles. Lateral Malleolus Fracture Conservative TreatmentĪ stable Lateral Malleolus Fracture is usually managed with 4-6 weeks in a walker boot. A study of 123 patients with lateral and mortise x-ray views are 95% accurate in diagnosing ankle fractures as anteroposterior, lateral and mortise views. An x-ray is the primary imaging model, but if this returns, as usual, a referral for an MRI or Ct Scan may be required. This is usually followed by imaging to rule out other conditions and to confirm the diagnosis. A clinical examination will often involve a hop test and tap test. A clinical interview of your symptoms alongside a clinical examination can often be sufficient to achieve a diagnosis for your therapist. A consultation with a Physical Therapist, Podiatrist, or Sports Medicine Doctor is recommended if you have any of the symptoms of a Lateral Malleolus Fracture. ![]()
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |