Can you dislocate your lateral malleolus?

Lateral dislocations occur when the ankle is twisted, either inverted or everted, but there are always fractures associated with either the medial or lateral malleolus or both.

Can you walk on a fractured lateral malleolus?

While it heals, support may be rendered by wearing a high-top tennis shoe, or a short leg cast. Some doctors allow patients to immediately walk on the affected leg. Some may recommend holding out for six weeks. If the ankle is unstable or the bones are out of place, the fracture may need to be treated with surgery.

How long does it take for a fractured lateral malleolus to heal?

In some cases, though, surgery has to be performed to align the bone and hold it together with metal plates, rods, or screws. In general, it takes at least 6 weeks for the broken malleolus to heal.

Does an ankle dislocation require surgery?

When your ankle dislocates, you commonly suffer severe fractures in your ankle. As a result, surgery is required to treat the majority of ankle dislocations, because your ankle will not be stable enough to heal in a cast without surgery. The fractured bone fragments must be put back together in surgery.

How serious is a dislocated ankle?

An ankle dislocation is a severe injury in which there is an abnormal separation between one or more of the bones of your ankle joint. With your injury, you might have severe pain right away, swelling, and a deformed look to the ankle. You likely won’t be able to put weight on your foot.

Is the lateral malleolus easy to break?

Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2017;99-B:851–5. Lateral malleolar fractures are often described as “simple”, or “straight forward” and “easy” to fix. However, there is quite a high incidence of complications after surgical treatment.

What is a displaced fracture of lateral malleolus?

For example, a fracture at the end of the fibula is called a lateral malleolus fracture, or if both the tibia and fibula are broken, it is called a bimalleolar fracture. Two joints are involved in ankle fractures: Ankle joint – where the tibia, fibula, and talus meet.

Can a lateral malleolus fracture heal without surgery?

Lateral Malleolus Fractures Isolated lateral malleolar fractures can be treated with or without surgery, depending on their location and placement. Stable fractures treated without surgery can often be safe for immediate protected (in a boot) weight bearing.

Will walking on a fractured ankle make it worse?

Also called an ankle fracture, it can be a very painful injury and needs to be seen by a medical professional as soon as possible because it may need treatment to heal properly. Walking on a broken ankle can make the injury worse, so if in doubt get it checked out.

How long does it take for a dislocated and fractured ankle to heal?

A broken ankle usually takes 6 to 8 weeks to heal, but it can take longer. The doctor will tell you: how long you’ll have to wear the boot or have the plaster cast on. how much weight to put on your ankle – you may be given crutches or a walking frame to help keep weight off it.