Thursday, 1 May 2025

Parent's Guide to Understanding Ankle Fractures

Ankle Fractures: What You Need to Know

Ankle fractures are an injury that can happen to anyone from weekend warriors to everyday walkers. The ankle is made up of three bones. The tibia is the big flat shin bone, the fibula is the smaller bone down the outside of the leg, and the talus sits underneath them both to help form the ankle joint.

Ankle fractures usually happen from rolling the ankle too far, falling awkwardly or during high-impact sports. If you hear a crack or feel sudden pain and swelling, it might be more than just a simple ankle sprain. Symptoms often include bruising, swelling, pain when weightbearing and in some cases, the ankle may look out of shape.

Diagnosing The Problem

Your physiotherapist or doctor may use X-rays, CT scans or an MRI to check if there is a break. Treatment depends on how unstable the fracture is. Minor ones may only need rest and a moon boot, while more serious breaks might need surgery to realign the bones.

The Road To Recovery

This is where physiotherapy steps in to make a real difference. Once the bone is healed enough to handle movement, your physio will help restore strength, balance and mobility. This includes working on the talocrural joint for better range of motion and strengthening the calf and foot muscles for support. Proprioception and agility training is also vital for preventing re-injury.

Rehabilitation time can range from six to twelve weeks - everyone is different. If surgery was involved, recovery might take a little longer. The goal is to get you back on your feet safely and confidently.

If you think you have done more than just twisted your ankle, get it checked. With the correct treatment and a solid physiotherapy plan, you will be walking tall and running again in no time.

 




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