Ankle fracture
Also called: broken ankle
What it means
An ankle fracture is a break in one or more of the bones that make up the ankle joint — usually the tibia, fibula, or both. It often happens from a twist, fall, or hard impact on the foot.
Ankle fractures can limit weight-bearing for weeks, and in people with weaker bones, they can be a signal to check overall bone health and fall risk.
An ankle fracture happens when the lower leg bones that form the ankle joint — the tibia and fibula — crack or break, often along with ligament damage. Common causes include rolling the ankle, tripping, missing a step, or a direct blow. Symptoms usually include sudden pain, swelling, bruising, and trouble putting weight on the foot.
Doctors diagnose ankle fractures with an X-ray to see exactly where and how the bone is broken. Treatment depends on the severity: stable breaks may be treated with a cast, boot, or splint and a period of limited weight-bearing, while more complex or displaced fractures often need surgery, such as internal fixation with plates and screws, to hold the bones in proper position while they heal.
In older adults, an ankle fracture from a low-impact fall — sometimes called a fragility fracture — can be a sign that bones have become weaker than expected for age. It's reasonable to ask a doctor whether a bone density check, like a DEXA scan, or a look at fall risk factors makes sense after this kind of injury, especially if it happened without a major trauma.
An ankle fracture from a twist or fall can be a signal to check your overall bone health.
Where this leads
WordSince a fall often caused this break, you might wonder what else raises fall risk and how to lower it going forward.
Related words
A fragility fracture is a broken bone caused by a fall or bump that normally wouldn't break a healthy bone, often at…
Fall risk is how likely you are to fall, and it matters because falling—not just weak bones—is the most common cause…
A DEXA scan is a low-radiation X-ray test that measures how much mineral is in your hip and spine bones, giving you…
A cast is a rigid plaster or fiberglass covering used to immobilize a broken bone so it can heal in proper alignment.
A splint is a rigid or semi-rigid device used to support and limit movement of an injured bone or joint, such as…
ORIF stands for "open reduction internal fixation." It's a surgery where a surgeon repositions broken bone pieces…
Education only, not medical advice. Decisions about tests, medications and treatment belong with your own doctor. OsteoStrong does not diagnose, treat or cure any disease.
