The ankle plays an important role in our daily life routine like walking, standing, and maintaining balance. When the ankle is injured because of some event like an accident, sports, a fall, etc, then it disturbs the normal life. Recovery from an ankle fracture can be physically and emotionally hard. It consists of too much rest, treatment, different types of physical therapy, and many other healing processes. Proper medical care is important, but many people want a faster recovery. They want to come back to their normal life routine early. You can recover fast from an ankle fracture by understanding the recovery process and making the right plan. However, fast recovery do not mean skipping the medications or hurrying the healing process. Faster recovery means proper treatment, rest, a balanced diet, regular physical therapies and many more strategies.

Understanding Ankle Fracture

An ankle fracture means that there is a break in one or more bones in the ankle joint. This can happen because of the sudden twisting in the ankle like an accident, a fall, sports, etc. Ankle fractures can be minor or complex which can only be recovered from surgery. The treatment of a fractured ankle depends on the stage of the broken ankle. Some recover in a few weeks, whereas some individuals take more than one year to recover because of the major injury.

Types of Ankle Fracture

There are many types of ankle fractures:

Lateral Malleolus Fracture

This type of Fracture occurs when there is a break outside the ankle joint in the lower part of the fibula. This is the most common type of fracture which happens to an individual. This can cause due to sudden twist or incorrect movement of the ankle.

Bimalleolar Fracture

Bimalleolar Fracture happens when an individual breaks both sides of the ankle, that is the fibula and tibia. This can occur because of incorrect twisting, vehicle accidents, falls, etc.

Trimalleolar Fracture

This is a type of fracture which occurs when all three parts of the ankle joint, that is outer bone, inner bone, and back part of the tibia, are broken. This is caused by high-range falls, major accidents, sports, etc. This can be recovered from surgery and requires physiotherapy which depends on the severity.

Pilon Fracture

Pilon fracture also known as Plafond fracture, is a kind of fracture which happens in the lower side of the tibia in the ankle joint. This fracture affects the load carrying area of an ankle. This can happen because of the high range fall, a bike accident, or a major accident.

Maisonneuve Fracture

When an individual injures both sides of the ankle and the upper part of the fibula, then they may have maisonneuve fracture. This may be caused during sports or a fall from a height. This may be healed with the help of surgical treatment.

Avulsion Fracture

This happens when a small bone that is attached to a ligament or tendon is pulled out from the main part. This mainly happens to sportspeople during jumping, sprinting or sudden direction change.

Open Fracture

This is also called a compound fracture. When an individual meets with a major accident or injuries, their bone gets break and come out through the skin. This makes an open cut on the injured area. This type of fracture has a high chance of infection because the bone and tissues are uncovered.

Stress Fracture

Stress fracture majorly occurs to athletes or sportspeople. This is a kind of fracture in which a small crack happens in the tibia and foot bones of an individual during excess running or jumping.

Comminuted Fracture

A comminuted fracture is a kind of fracture in which the bone breaks into two or more pieces. This is mainly cause due to major vehicle accidents or falls from a certain height. If the smaller bones of the ankle are affected, then they can be recovered without surgery. But if a long bone fractures, doctors perform surgery.

Symptoms & Causes of an Ankle Fracture

Here are the common symptoms of a fractured ankle:

Swelling in the affected area
Extreme Pain
Pain increases during physical activity and decreases during rest
Throbbing Pain
Tingling in the foot
Bruising
Feeling tenderness while touching

Here are some common causes due to which the ankle may get fractured:

Sudden twisting and rolling
Fall from a certain height
Major Accident from a vehicle
Sports injuries
Running or jumping on a bad surface
Poor bone density

Healing Phase of Fractured Ankle

A fractured ankle usually takes six to twelve weeks for the bone healing and six months to around one year for the full recovery. During the initial phase, doctors focus on fixing the ankle and reducing pain and swelling with the help of plaster, splint, etc. But, when major injury happens like open, pilon fracture, etc, they perform surgery.

After some time, when the plaster is removed or surgery is performed, individuals start performing minor physical activities. This helps in the flexibility and mobility of the ankle joint. Individuals also require physical therapy during the healing phase. This plays a major role in recovering fast from an ankle fracture. Swelling and pain decrease, and individuals come back to their normal life routine after some time.

Medical Treatment After an Ankle Fracture

Medical treatment of a fractured ankle depends on the type of fracture but the overall procedure for recovery remains the same. Here is a complete procedure for medical treatment.

First-Aid Right after Injury

When you notice an ankle fracture, then first aid is the primary thing. This plays an important role in managing swelling, pain and preventing further damage in the ankle joint. Here are some points:

Do not try to move your affected leg further, as it can increase the pain and problem.
Take rest.
Avoid putting weight on your ankle.
Apply icing to the affected area.
Keep your leg raised so that the pain and fluid deposited in the affected area decrease.

Diagnosis of an Ankle Fracture

In this stage, doctors confirm the type of fracture by taking physical examinations, CT and MRI scans, X-rays, bone scan and many other. Doctors find out the reason of injury by checking tenderness, weight-pulling ability, visible incorrect structure in the ankle, etc. Healthcare experts perform imaging tests like X-rays, CT scans, and MRI scan which are required to check out the fracture type.

Surgical and Non-Surgical Treatment

Ankle fractures are of two types, minor fractures which recover with normal medications and physical therapies. On the other hand, there is a major fracture which can only be recovered with the help of surgery. Let’s discuss the treatment of both surgical and non-surgical in below.

Non-Surgical Treatment

If the fracture is manageable and does not require any surgery to recover, then you can check a few ways which may help you recover fast from an ankle fracture.

Immobilisation: Doctors fix a plaster or splint to fix the bone affected in the ankle area. After the removal of the plaster splint after a few days, they advise walking in boots. This gives support during any physical movement.
Rice Method: Take rest, apply ice on the affected area for fifteen to twenty minutes. Keep your leg raised. This will help to reduce the swelling and pain.
Pain Management: You can take painkillers on a doctor’s recommendation. Some of the painkillers are acetaminophen, ibuprofen, NSAIDs, etc.
Physiotherapy: This is required immediately after the removal of the plaster. It helps in proper movement of the ankle.
Monitoring: Clinical studies suggest that regular checkups and X-rays are essential to show the progress of ankle.

Note: Newer approaches like PEACE & LOVE focus on optimal loading and recovery.

Surgical Treatment

When there is a major fracture like an open fracture, a pilon fracture, etc. These types of fracture are only be recovered from surgery.

Procedure: When the bones get broken and are visible from the outside then surgeon performs surgery, which can be open reduction or internal fixation. In this procedure, surgeons position and fix the bones by using plates, screws and rods.
Timing: Surgeons perform the surgery within 24 hours of the fracture. If it is delayed, then it may increase or create further problems.
Types of Fractures: It is required for those who have bimalleolar, pilon, open fractures, etc.

Effective Strategies for Fast Recovery from a Fractured Ankle

If you want to recover fast from an ankle fracture, it does not mean that you should skip the medical treatment or not take recovery seriously. It means making a proper plan and keeping attention during the recovery time. Here are some ways that will help you to make a proper plan to recover fast from an ankle fracture.

Follow your doctor’s rule strictly about not moving the affected part of the ankle.
Avoid putting weight on your injured leg till your leg recovers properly.
Raise your leg a little high from any surface. This helps to reduce swelling in the affected ankle area.
Ice packs and hot bags helps to reduce pain and swelling.
Focus on physical therapies. This helps to recover fast from an ankle fracture.
Eat healthy foods like fruits, vegetables, pulses, etc.
Do not skip your medicines. Take painkillers only on a doctor’s recommendation.
Get proper sleep.
Go for regular check-ups. This will help you to monitor your progress.

Diet for Bone Recovery

Diet plays an important role in the recovery of a fractured ankle. A balanced diet helps to repair the ankle and provides strength in the bones. Here you can check a few important nutrients which may help you in fast recovery.

Calcium: It provides strength to the bones and builds capacity in them. Milk, cheese, white sesame seeds, yogurt, broccoli, soy beans, almond milk, etc, are some of the good sources of calcium.
Vitamin D: It helps the body absorb calcium and supports bone mineralization. Sunlight is the primary source of vitamin D & other sources like oily fish, salmon, tuna, egg yolks, etc are also considered good sources of vitamin D.
Citrus Fruits: Oranges, lemons, grapes, guava, papaya, amla, etc, help in tissue repair, collagen production, and reduce inflammation which is important in bone recovery.
Leafy Vegetables: Kale, spinach, bok choy, mustard greens, broccoli, etc., provide strength in the bones which are important for mobility and flexibility.
Protein: This helps to repair bones and increase muscle strength during the recovery phase. Eggs, fish, milk, nuts, cereals, etc. are some of the rich sources of protein.
Zinc: Pumpkin seeds, fortified cereals, nuts, eggs, etc, are some of the good sources of zinc, which helps in immune function, tissue repair, and bone regeneration.
Iron: It helps in collagen production and provides oxygen to the bones. Oily fish, meat, eggs, leafy green vegetables, etc, are some of the good sources of iron, which is important for cell repair and bone regeneration.

Physical Therapy to Recover Fast from an Ankle Fracture

According to orthopedic specialists physical therapy plays crucial role in faster recovery of a fractured ankle. This helps in improving mobility, flexibility, strength and balance in the ankle. Here are some of the physical therapy which can help you to recover fast from an ankle fracture.

Initial Stage

These exercises are important in the early stage.

Ankle Circles: Sit on the chair and lift your affected leg little high from the surface. Now, rotate it in clockwise and anticlockwise direction.
Ankle Pumps: Sit on the floor or bed and straight your legs. Push your affected paw in a forward motion and then a backwards motion.
Alphabet Exercises: Sit on the chair, and then lift your affected leg. Try to make alphabets from your toes.
Towel Scrunches: Sit on the chair and keep a towel under your paw. Then, try to pull it towards yourself with the help of your toes.
Towel Stretches: Sit on the bed or floor and keep your leg straight. Place your towel in your paw and pull it towards yourself.

Mid Stage

In this stage, exercises help to give strength in your ankle.

Resisted Ankle Inversion: Sit on the chair or floor and cross your legs. Place a band around both the paws. Then stretch your affected paw in the right and left directions.
Resisted Plantar Flexion: Sit on the floor or bed and straight your both legs. Now, tie a band around your affected paw, and hold it from the other side. Now, push your paw in a forward-down direction.
Heel to Toe Raise: Stand straight and slowly raise your toes, then, come back to the normal position. Now, raise your ankle and then come back to the normal position. Do this exercise 10 times.
Single Leg Balance: Stand straight, take support of chair or table and gently bend your normal leg. Now, try to stand on the injured leg. Hold balance for a few seconds.
Mini Squats: Stand straight, then bend your knees with the help of a chair. Now, try to do squats.

Last Stage

Patients perform exercises in this stage to restore full movement in the ankle and return to daily life activities.

Single-Leg Calf Raises: Stand straight on both your feet. Now, slowly raise your affected leg on your toes and then come back to the normal position.
Monster Walks: Place a band around both your ankles and maintain a distance between both your legs. Now, try to walk maintaining that position.
Single-Leg Squats: Stand straight and then bend your unaffected leg. Lift your affected leg just above the ground and try to do squats.
Stair Navigation: Practice going upward and coming downward on the stairs.
Mini Hops: Stand straight and try to jump slowly. Do this five times.

When to See a Doctor?

Here are a few signs that you should consult a doctor:

If pain is not reducing or becomes severe.
Tingling in the ankle area.
If you notice that swelling is increasing, even after the medications.
When you are not able to put weight on the ankle.
Not able to walk or do any physical activity.
Fever
Redness
Bruising in the affected area.

Signs you are Fully Recovered

Here are a few signs which show that your ankle is now healed and you can return to daily life activities as before.

You can walk, run or do any physical activity without any pain.
When you are able to move your ankle without any hesitation.
No swelling occurs.
The doctor has confirmed that your ankle has recovered with the help of X-rays.
You are wearing normal shoes comfortably.
No stiffness is happening even after sitting for a long period of time.

Conclusion

In summary, if you want to recover fast from an ankle fracture, you can read this content. Here, we have tried to cover all the important things that are required for an early recovery. With the proper planning, correct treatment, and attention in whole healing phase, you can come back to normal life soon. In addition, this content is only for reading purposes and gaining knowledge. For proper treatment, doctors consultation is mandatory.

Ankle Fracture Treatment & Recovery: Symptoms, Surgery & Rehab