Ankle Fracture (Broken Ankle) in Singapore
If you recently injured your ankle due to a high-force impact and are experiencing extreme pains, you may have fractured your ankle. Like most bone fractures, a fractured ankle is treatable with the proper broken ankle treatment in Singapore.
This is because ankle fractures are common injuries that can happen to anyone. It can be caused by any activity that puts pressure on the foot and ankle, such as jumping, running, or landing awkwardly.
This article will discuss the causes of ankle fractures in Singapore, the different types of ankle fractures, how they are diagnosed, and what treatment is appropriate for each.
What is an Ankle Fracture?
A fractured ankle, or rather a broken ankle, is one of the most common bone fractures in adults. Often, they can be caused by a fall or putting your foot down wrongly, subsequently twisting the ankle due to a lack of stability or uneven ground.
The fracture can range from a simple break in one bone to several fractures in one or more of the bones that make up the ankle joint – tibia (shinbone), fibula (smaller bone of the lower leg), and talus (the small bone that sits between the heel bone (calcaneus) and the tibia and fibula).
- Medial malleolus – inside part of the tibia
- Posterior malleolus – the back part of the tibia
- Lateral malleolus – end of the fibula
During a diagnosis before an ankle fracture treatment in Singapore, the doctors will classify the fracture based on the broken bone area. For instance, a fracture at the end of the fibula is known as a lateral malleolus fracture.
In fact, the ankle is stabilised by several ligaments, which are commonly injured in sprains and fractures. When the ligaments are torn due to a fractured ankle, it can render the ankle unstable.
What Causes an Ankle Fracture?
While our bones are incredibly resilient and can withstand powerful impacts, which allows us to land on our feet after jumping and during relevant activities that involve great force, they may crack or break under enough pressure. And our ankle bones are no exception.
A fractured ankle is usually caused by a rotational injury, where the ankle becomes twisted, turned, or rolled while walking or running during a sports activity. They can also be caused by a high-force impact like a fall or car collision.
That said, ankle fractures can be categorised into two:
Traumatic fractures – Breaks that occur suddenly during a specific incident or injury.
Stress fractures – Breaks that occur due to repetitive stress or impact over time.
What are the Different Types of Ankle Fractures?
There are many types of ankle fractures as the doctors will classify based on the broken bone area. Here are some ankle fractures that are worth noting:
Lateral Malleolus Fracture
This type of ankle fracture is the most common as it involves a break in the lateral malleolus, forming the bony lump outside the ankle. It can occur when you twist your ankle forcefully, land on it badly, or sustain a direct blow on the leg.
Bimalleolar Ankle Fracture
This type of ankle fracture is the second most common as it involves a break of the fibula outside the ankle and the base of the tibia. They are often classified as severe injuries resulting from high-impact injuries such as falls and car collisions.
Trimalleolar Ankle Fracture
This type of ankle fracture is the most severe and has a poor prognosis as it involves breaks in three sides of the ankle – the medial, lateral, and lower portion of the posterior malleolus. They are usually the result of a high-energy impact.
Pilon Fracture (Tibia only fracture)
This type of fracture occurs through the ankle’s weight-bearing, usually caused by a high-energy impact such as a car collision or a fall from height. The bone can break in one place or shatter in several places at the ankle joint.
Maisonneuve Fracture
A Maisonneuve fracture is often misdiagnosed as a sprained ankle because the X-ray may show no breaks in the bone. But, the stress from the ankle injury can cause the fibula to fracture higher up towards the knee, with the pain around your ankle and injured ligaments.
Symptoms and Signs of Ankle Fractures
The symptoms and signs of an ankle fracture typically include:
- Pain in the ankle joint
- Swelling around the ankle joint
- Bruising on the skin overlying the bone
- Swelling below an injured ankle joint
- Inability to stand on toes or bear weight on the injured leg
You might also feel tenderness inside your foot or your shin. If you have any of these symptoms or signs, it’s essential to see a doctor as soon as possible.
Recommended Treatment for Ankle Fractures
Treatment for a fractured ankle will vary depending on the type of ankle fracture, the joint’s stability, and the bones’ alignment. The goal is to have the bones heal as closely as possible to prevent residual instability or malalignment of the bone.
So, the doctor will inquire about the events that led to your ankle fracture and order a series of physical examinations such as an x-ray, MRI, and CT scan to assess the fracture fully. Once done, they will recommend either a non-surgical or surgical treatment.
Non-Surgical Treatments
The doctor will only recommend non-surgical ankle fracture treatments in Singapore if you have a minor break in the ankle. This includes wearing a cast and using a crutch to limit weight-bearing. These can help the bones heal as closely as possible to prevent residual instability or misalignment. Physical therapy may be necessary to restore your ankle’s motion and function.
Surgical Treatments
For more severe ankle fractures, the doctor may suggest a surgical intervention to prevent improper healing of the bone that could impede proper ankle movement. There are two procedures for treating ankle fractures in Singapore:
Reduction – If the two ends of the fractured bone are not aligned, the doctor may have to manipulate the pieces back into their positions. Depending on the amount of pain and swelling, you may need a muscle relaxant, a sedative, or a local anaesthetic to numb the area.
Surgery – In severe fracture cases, the doctor may need to use pins, plates, or screws to maintain the proper position of your bones during healing. These materials may be removed after the fracture has healed.
Get Treated For Your Ankle Fracture
At Spire Orthopaedic Centre, everyone should be cared for and healed holistically in comfort without having to travel to different locations to seek medical and surgical help and rehabilitation support.
With a combined facility for collaboration between physicians, physiotherapists, and surgeons, you will experience a seamless service from diagnosis to treatment and rehabilitation that’s tailored just for you at our clinic.