Abroken anklecan severely limit your ability to perform basic functional tasks likerunningand walking.
This painful injury can cause loss of lower extremity strength, range of motion, and pain.
These impairments can make performing your normal everyday activities difficult or impossible.
Ankle fractures almost always occur during a traumatic event to the body.
Automobile accidents, falls, and sports injuries can all lead to ankle fractures.
Failure to do so may result in a significant loss of function.
Treatment
While at the hospital following an ankle fracture, your healthcare provider may attempt toreducethe fracture.
Fracture reduction is the term used to describe how a bone is fixed or set after its broken.
The pieces of bone must be put in close proximity to one another so that healing can occur.
After your ankle fracture is reduced, your ankle will most likely be placed in a cast.
You may also be under specificweight-bearing restrictions.
Your physical therapist should also be able to help you understand your weight-bearing restrictions.
You may be using an assistive gadget like aquad caneor crutches to walk.
At this point, your physical therapist can fully evaluate your ankle to help provide the proper treatment.
Wolffs lawstates that bone grows and remodels in response to the stress that is placed upon it.
Gait trainingwill also be important following an ankle fracture.
Your physical therapist can help you progress from using an assistive machine to walking independently.
If you have had surgery to reduce your ankle fracture, there may bescar tissuearound the incision.
Your physical therapist can performscar tissue massage and mobilizationto help improve the mobility of the scar.
He or she can also teach you how to perform scar massage techniques on your own.
How Long Will Physical Therapy Last?
Everyone heals differently, and everyones ankle fracture injury is different.
Your physical therapist should discuss with you your overall prognosis with your ankle fracture rehab.
This prognosis typically depends on how well your ankle is moving when you first start rehab.
In general, physical therapy for a broken ankle lasts about 6 to 8 weeks.
Your personal experience with PT may be shorter or longer depending on your specific injury.
Continuing your home exercise program is a component of your rehabilitation.
Being diligent with it can help you regain function and get back to the activities you have been missing.
Begin with range of motion exercises.
A physical therapist can maneuver your ankle at first.
National Library of Medicine: MedlinePlus.Broken bone.
American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons.Ankle fractures (broken ankle).
