The ankle is mainly made up of three bones the tibia(shin), fibula and talus. Breakage in any of these bones or the joints around it causes a fracture. If not treated properly it can lead to long term complications and disability. There are many types of fractures. They are –
The joints usually responsible for fractures around the ankle are the Ankle Joint where the tibia, fibula & talus meet and the Syndesmosis Joint which is the joint between the tibia & fibula held together by ligaments.
A pilon fracture occurs at the bottom of the shin bone. Pilon fractures can have a permanent effect on the ankle joint.
Talus is one of the bones that form the ankle. A fracture in the Talus leads to a significant loss of motion & function. If not treated properly can result in limping, arthritis, and chronic pain.
Calcaneus or the heel bone fracture can be a painful and disabling injury. When this occurs the heel can widen, shorten or become deformed. Even with appropriate treatment, there may be long term complications like pain, swelling, loss of motion and arthritis.
Ligament failures and fractures in the midfoot region of the foot are called Lisfranc Injuries. They are commonly misdiagnosed on the initial X-Rays as an ankle sprain.
The metatarsal is the bone connecting the ankle to the toe. Each toe is called a phalange. Metatarsal & Phalangeal fractures usually heal without surgery.