![]() One option is to have screws placed from the front of the ankle to the back, or vice versa. If the fracture is out of place or if the ankle is unstable, surgery may be offered.ĭifferent surgical options are available for treating posterior malleolar fractures. Patients are typically advised not to put any weight on the ankle for 6 weeks. Treatment may be with a short leg cast or a removable brace. If the fracture is not out place and the ankle is stable, it can be treated without surgery. This uneven surface typically leads to increased and uneven pressure on the joint surface, which leads to cartilage damage and the development of arthritis. If the broken piece of bone is larger than about 25% of your ankle, and is out of place more than a couple of millimeters, the cartilage surface will not heal properly and the surface of the joint will not be smooth. ![]() Cartilage is the smooth surface that lines a joint. The back of the tibia where the bone breaks is covered with cartilage. It is important for a posterior malleolus fracture to be diagnosed and treated properly because of the risk for developing arthritis. Some studies have shown that if the piece is bigger than 25% of the ankle joint, the ankle becomes unstable and should be treated with surgery. There can also be a fracture of the medial malleolus.ĭepending on how large the broken piece is, the back of the ankle may be unstable. ![]() This is because it shares ligament attachments with the posterior malleolus. In most cases of posterior malleolus fracture, the lateral malleolus (fibula) is also broken. Treatment: Medial Malleolus FractureĪ posterior malleolus fracture is a fracture of the back of the tibia at the level of the ankle joint. In some cases, a screw or rod inside the bone may be used to keep the bone fragments together while they heal. They are held together with special screws and metal plates attached to the outer surface of the bone. During this type of procedure, the bone fragments are first repositioned (reduced) into their normal alignment. If the fracture is out of place or your ankle is unstable, your fracture may be treated with surgery. You will see your physician regularly to repeat your ankle x-rays to make sure the fragments of your fracture have not moved out of place during the healing process. Some physicians let patients put weight on their leg right away, while others have them wait for 6 weeks. ranging from a high-top tennis shoe to a short leg cast. Several different methods are used for protecting the fracture while it heals. The type of treatment required may also be based on where the bone is broken. A stress x-ray may be done to see if the ankle is stable. You may not require surgery if your ankle is stable, meaning the broken bone is not out of place or just barely out of place. Reproduced with permission from Michelson JD: Ankle Fractures Resulting From Rotational Injuries J Am Acad Ortho Surg 2003 11:403-412. For some ankle fractures, an MRI scan may be done to evaluate the ankle ligaments. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan. These tests provide high resolution images of both bones and soft tissues, like ligaments. It is especially useful when the fracture extends into the ankle joint. This x-ray is done to see if certain ankle fractures require surgery.Ĭomputed tomography (CT) scan. This type of scan can create a cross-section image of the ankle and is sometimes done to further evaluate the ankle injury. Stress test. Depending on the type of ankle fracture, the doctor may put pressure on the ankle and take a special x-ray, called a stress test. X-rays may be taken of the leg, ankle, and foot to make sure nothing else is injured. They can also show how many pieces of broken bone there are. X-rays can show if the bone is broken and whether there is displacement (the gap between broken bones). X-rays. X-rays are the most common and widely available diagnostic imaging technique. If your doctor suspects an ankle fracture, he or she will order additional tests to provide more information about your injury.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |