Most of us have sprained our ankles at some point in our lives. The pain, the swelling, and the bruising are unmistakable. But suppose the injury doesn’t feel better after a few days of resting, applying ice treatments, and using pain relievers? Could there be a more serious problem?
Yes. Depending on the injury, a fracture or bone break could have been the result. A fracture can be anything from a slight crack in a bone all the way up to a compound fracture.When too much pressure is exerted on the ankle joint, the result is a broken bone.
Some common causes of broken ankles include:
- missteps – placing your foot incorrectly,
- trips and falls,
- high impact – the force of a jump could cause a break,
- playing sports – football, basketball, and soccer are all stressful for ankle joints,
- car accidents,
- trauma –heavy force like something falling on the foot can cause injury, and
- excessive use –athletes and runners are prone to experience stress fractures or small cracks in bones.
The symptoms of a broken ankle may seem similar to those of a sprained ankle andcan include:
- extreme pain,
- tenderness,
- swelling,
- bruising,
- problems walking or moving the foot,
- inability to bear weight on the ankle,
- dizziness, nausea, or other symptoms of high levels of pain,
- bones sticking out of the skin or causing bleeding, and
- irregularities in the foot’s appearance such as looking dislocated or misshapen.
You should also be concerned about a fracture if you heard any cracking, crunching, snapping, or other strange noises in your foot at the time of the injury. Since most sprains and breaks are internal, it can be difficult to tell the difference between them. That’s when it’s time to see a doctor. A doctor can use a variety of diagnostic equipment and testing including x-rays, stress tests, physical exams, and CT and MRI scans to locate damage inside the ankle joint.
If you suspect or know you have an ankle injury, don’t live in pain. The foot and ankle specialists at District Foot & Ankle can provide a diagnosis and recommend a treatment plan to get you back on your feet. Contact us today to schedule an appointment.