Ankle Fractures

Fractured ankles require professional examination and care, but they often heal well. When a person suffers an ankle injury, we at Mercer-Ocean Podiatry are ready to assist them with every stage of their recovery. We find that patients are less daunted when they have an idea of what to expect, so we wanted to explain a bit about what a fracture is and what we do.


The ankle is where the tibia, fibula, and talus bones meet. Any of them may have a stress fracture or a major break. A minor fracture may only require brief immobilization. A brace boot or even a high-top sneaker may protect and reinforce the ankle while it heals over a few weeks. But if imaging tests indicate that the break is severe, the patient may have to undergo surgery. Either way, they will need to keep their weight off the ankle.


Surgery would be necessary if the gap between the bones is too wide for us to be confident that they’ll knit back together, if a fragment of bone is floating freely, or if the bones have shifted in a way that would cause them to heal in the wrong position. In any of these circumstances, the use of surgical screws to reconnect bones would allow them to heal much more quickly. Patients will have to engage in physical therapy while not keeping their leg rested, but they usually will be able to walk again.


Dr. Frank Killian and Dr. Sameep Chandrani run Mercer-Ocean Podiatry. For the location at 2103 Whitehorse Mercerville Road, Hamilton Township, New Jersey, 08619, call 609-585-3200. For the location at 202 Rte 37 W, Suite 4, Toms River, New Jersey, 08755, call 732-557-4266. Visit New Jersey Foot.


 

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