Two of the three malleoli of the ankle are broken. Malleoli is a singular for malleolus. The malleolus is the most affected in most cases of bimalleolar fracturing. The most common outcome is a partial or complete amputation of one or both feet. In some cases, however, there may be no permanent damage to the foot or ankle, and in these cases the patient can return to work or school.
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How serious is a bimalleolar fracture?
Bimalleolar and trimalleolar ankle breaks are serious injuries. They can be caused by falls and motor vehicle accidents. The force of impact and compression on the ankle joint can lead to a break of the fibula and tibia. The most common type of ankle fracture is a bimanual fracture.
This is the most severe type and occurs when the foot strikes the ground at an angle of less than 45 degrees. It is usually caused by a fall from a height of more than 10 feet (3 m) or a collision with a vehicle or other object. Other types of fractures include a tibial tubercle fracture, a metatarsophalangeal (MTP) fracture and an ankle sprain.
How long does a bimalleolar ankle fracture take to heal?
Implants of metal plates, screws, and rods are usually required to keep the ankle stable. A short leg cast is usually put on the ankle after surgery. It takes at least 6 weeks for the bone to come back to its original shape. The most common symptoms are pain in the foot, ankle, or lower leg.
Other symptoms may include numbness or tingling of the affected area, swelling, redness, pain, stiffness, loss of sensation, weakness, joint or muscle pain (especially the knee and hip joints), and/or weakness in one or more joints (such as the shoulder, elbow, wrist, shoulder blade, fingers, toes, etc.).
How is bimalleolar ankle fracture treated?
Most bimalleolar breaks are unstable and need to be treated with an open reduction internal fixation. The management plan can be used for either surgical or non- surgical treatment.
When can I walk after a bimalleolar fracture?
It could be six weeks before you are able to use your injured ankle. Your broken bones heal around the same time as you heal from trimalleolar surgery. Your leg will heal in two to three months, depending on the type of surgery you have and the length of time it takes for your body to recover.
What’s the worst ankle fracture?
An unstable type of ankle injury is a trimalleolar fracture. It’s usually the recommended treatment to have surgery. If surgery poses too high of a risk to the patient, non surgical treatment would be recommended. Treatment for tibia plateau fractures depends on the severity of the fracture and the extent of swelling. The most common treatment options are rest, physical therapy, and surgery.
Rest is generally recommended for patients with moderate to severe fractures. Physical therapy can be used to reduce pain and improve range of motion. In severe cases, surgery may be necessary to correct the deformity and stabilize the ankle joint. If surgery is required, it should be performed by a board-certified orthopedic surgeon who is experienced in treating these types of injuries.
Can screws in ankle cause pain?
People don’t have problems with the plate and screws. Sometimes the plate and screws can cause pain or irritation. After the fracture is healed, the hardware may be removed or replaced with a new one.
Will my ankle ever be the same after a break?
It’s highly likely that the ankle will be the same as before if it’s a low-to-medium grade injury or stable bone fracture. There is a higher chance that you will need surgery if you have more severe injuries.