There are three bones that make up the ankle joint: the tibia, fibula, and talus. A broken ankle, or fracture, occurs when one or more of these bones break. The joints and ligaments that make up the ankle can also be damaged when a fracture occurs. Common causes include impact during sports or car collision, tripping or falling, and rolling your ankle.
Symptoms
The symptoms of a fractured ankle are similar to an ankle sprain, so you should be evaluated by an orthopedic surgeon after an injury.
- Immediate pain
- Swelling and bruising
- Can’t bear weight on the injured foot
You may not require surgery if the ankle remains stable and the fracture is minor. If the fracture is out of place or your ankle is unstable, your orthopedic surgeon may need to do surgery. Watch this short video to see the surgical procedure used to correct a fracture of the fibula or tibia in the ankle joint.