If you’ve broken your ankle, one or more of the bones that make up your ankle joint have been separated into pieces. The forces required to break the bones also commonly damage the surrounding soft tissues such as ligaments and tendons. The more severe the injury, the more unstable your ankle becomes.
In some instances, an ankle fracture may be treated with a cast, brace, or walking boot. Unstable ankle injuries, however, will require surgical treatment to allow for a return to normal function and to lessen the risk of long-term joint damage.
To restore stability and function in your ankle joint, your surgeon will rebuild the broken pieces and hold them together with metal plates and screws. These screws act as an “internal cast” to hold the bones in the correct alignment until they heal together.
To learn more about ankle fracture surgery, please complete the appointment request box or call (319) 338-3606 to schedule a consultation with a Steindler Orthopedic Clinic specialty-trained ankle doctor.
