What can you do for a broken ankle at home?
Foot and Ankle Fracture Treatment Options
- Rest: Rest is key.
- Ice: Ice the area for 20 minutes at a time to help with swelling and inflammation.
- Compression: Wrapping the injury helps control swelling.
- Elevation: Keep your foot and ankle raised slightly above the level of your heart to help reduce inflammation.
Can you still walk on a broken ankle?
Broken ankle — can you still walk? Typically, a minor ankle fracture won’t prevent you from walking. You might even be able to walk right after the injury. If you have a serious break, you’ll need to avoid walking for a few months.
How long does it take to recover from breaking your ankle?
We can provide a rough estimate, but it generally takes at least 6 weeks for the broken bones in the ankle to heal. That said, it might take longer for the affected tendons and ligaments to mend.
Should I go to the doctor for a broken ankle?
It’s most likely a broken ankle if You may have a broken ankle, and you should contact your doctor right away, if you notice any of the following symptoms: You have severe pain or pain that gets worse over time. You can’t put any weight on the injured ankle. You have trouble moving the injured ankle.
What are the signs of a broken ankle?
If you have a broken ankle, you may experience some of the following signs and symptoms:
- Immediate, throbbing pain.
- Swelling.
- Bruising.
- Tenderness.
- Deformity.
- Difficulty or pain with walking or bearing weight.
What happens if you leave a broken ankle untreated?
When a bone fracture is untreated, it can result in either a nonunion or a delayed union. In the former case, the bone doesn’t heal at all, which means that it will remain broken. As a result, swelling, tenderness, and pain will continue to worsen over time.
Can you wiggle your toes if your ankle is broken?
Most believe that if they can wiggle their toes or move the ankle around that an ankle fracture has not occurred. The reason this is not true is because the nerves and muscles that allow the movement of the ankle have not been affected by the fracture.
How painful is a broken ankle?
If you fractured your ankle, you will likely experience immediate, sharp pain and possible swelling. Additional symptoms include: Pain that spreads throughout the foot and up your leg, toward your knee. Intensifying pain if you try to bear weight on your foot.
What happens if you walk on a broken ankle too soon?
Being off your feet for weeks can be frustrating, but this period of non-weight bearing activity is a crucial part of the recovery process. Walking on a broken ankle too early can prevent it from healing correctly and may make the injury worse.
How do you sleep with a broken ankle?
Invest in a specialized pillow, like a body pillow, for elevation—keeping the broken bone above your heart prevents blood from pooling and causing swelling. Try sleeping on your back first while propped up on a few pillows.
What is the healing process for a broken ankle?
Healing Time for a Broken Foot. The healing process is completed in three stages: inflammatory/injury, consolidatory/bone production, and maturation/bone remodeling. The entire broken foot healing process spans an average of 12-15 weeks. This duration does not include physical therapy sessions.
What is the healing time for a broken ankle?
You can expect most ankle fractures depending on how severe they are, to take 4-8 weeks for the bones to heal completely and up to several months to regain full use and range of motion of the joint. More severe fractures, especially those requiring surgical repair, may take longer to heal.
How long does it take to heal a broken ankle?
Broken ankle recovery time definitely depends on the severity.
What are the best shoes to wear after a broken ankle?
After recovery from a healed broken ankle, finding a supportive shoe is important. Not necessarily high tips but one that doesn’t breakdown easily. I always recommend running type shoes because they are usually made with sturdier material compared to other shoes.