Breaking a bone is a painful and stressful situation, especially if you rely on that bone to walk. There are a couple signs that differentiate an ankle break from an ankle sprain. Those signs include, severe pain, tenderness, immediate bruising and swelling, difficulty moving your foot, inability to put weight on your foot, dislocation of bone, a snapping sound, and bleeding. Once it has been determined that the ankle is broken, action should be taken immediately. Either call an ambulance or have someone drive to your nearest emergency room, then elevate the injured leg. After elevating the leg, apply an ice pack or anything accessible that is cold to help with the swelling. Also, the injured individual should abstain from eating anything in case they will have to get surgery after arriving to the hospital. If you have any additional questions regarding how to handle or recover from a broken ankle, then it is recommended you speak with a podiatrist.

Broken ankles need immediate treatment. If you are seeking treatment, contact Jed Wells, DPM from Jed Wells, DPM Foot Specialist. Our doctor can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet. 

Broken Ankles
A broken ankle is experienced when a person fractures their tibia or fibula in the lower leg and ankle area. Both of these bones are attached at the bottom of the leg and combine to form what we know to be our ankle.

When a physician is referring to a break of the ankle, he or she is usually referring to a break in the area where the tibia and fibula are joined to create our ankle joint. Ankles are more prone to fractures because the ankle is an area that suffers a lot of pressure and stress. There are some obvious signs when a person experiences a fractured ankle, and the following symptoms may be present.

Symptoms of a Fractured Ankle

• Excessive pain when the area is touched or when any pressure is placed on the ankle
•  Swelling around the area
•  Bruising of the area
• Area appears to be deformed

If you suspect an ankle fracture, it is recommended to seek treatment as soon as possible. The sooner you have your podiatrist diagnose the fracture, the quicker you’ll be on the way towards recovery.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our offices located in Corpus Christi, and Laredo, TX . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.