Contents
Ankle Fractures: What You Need to Know
Published: Dec 20, 2023
Ankle fractures are common injuries that need proper care to ensure healing. Understanding these fractures can help you manage them better or seek the right treatment.
What Causes Ankle Fractures?
Ankle fractures often occur due to bending forces during activities like sports or falls. They are described by the position of the ankle and the force applied, such as 'supination/external rotation' injuries. These injuries typically stretch or compress the ankle structures, leading to fractures.
Types of Ankle Fractures
The majority of ankle fractures are malleolar, with unimalleolar, bimalleolar, and trimalleolar fractures being common types. Each type varies in stability and may require different treatments. Men are more prone to these fractures in young adulthood, while women have a higher rate in older age.
Diagnosing Ankle Fractures
The Ottawa ankle rules help determine if X-rays are needed for ankle injuries. Typically, an ankle fracture is diagnosed using X-rays from different angles to understand the extent and nature of the fracture. This information helps decide if surgery is needed.
Risk Factors to Consider
Factors like smoking and high body mass index increase the risk of ankle fractures. Interestingly, bone density is not a clear risk factor, unlike other fractures common in older women.
Frequently Asked Questions
They are often caused by bending forces during activities like sports or falls.
Unimalleolar fractures are the most common.
Yes, smoking is associated with a higher risk.
Rates are similar, but men have more in young adulthood, and women have more between 50-70 years.
Key Takeaways
Understanding ankle fractures helps in managing and seeking appropriate treatment.
References
- Daly PJ, Fitzgerald RH Jr, Melton LJ, Ilstrup DM. Epidemiology of ankle fractures in Rochester, Minnesota. Acta Orthop Scand 1987; 58:539.
- Jensen SL, Andresen BK, Mencke S, Nielsen PT. Epidemiology of ankle fractures. A prospective population-based study of 212 cases in Aalborg, Denmark. Acta Orthop Scand 1998; 69:48.
This article has been reviewed for accuracy by one of the licensed medical doctors working for Doctronic. Always discuss health information with your healthcare provider.
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