How Long Does It Take To Heal a Fractured Ankle?

The podiatrists in Burbank, CA, can help you heal from a fractured ankle

If you fracture your ankle, you may be wondering just how long it’s going to take for your fractured ankle to heal. Let’s face it, fracturing your ankle greatly impacts your life! Fortunately, your foot and ankle surgery specialist can help you get back on your feet again.

The podiatrists at the Los Angeles Institute of Foot and Ankle Surgery in Burbank, CA, offer a wide range of podiatry and foot and ankle surgery services to help you heal quickly.

Early diagnosis is a critical part of healing from an ankle fracture, so you need to know the signs and symptoms of an ankle fracture, which are:

• An obvious ankle deformity
• Bruising, swelling, and throbbing pain
• Pain that increases when you put weight on your ankle
• Increasing pain when you are active
• Decreasing pain when you elevate your ankle and rest

Ankle fractures happen for different reasons, and in different degrees. You might experience an ankle fracture due to:

• A medical condition, like osteoporosis
• A sports injury due to a high-impact or contact sport
• An accident in a vehicle or at work

Treatment and healing time will vary, depending on the type of fracture. Ankle fractures can take a few weeks to heal. Your foot and ankle surgeon can determine the severity of the fracture and give you an estimate on what to expect for healing time. Your foot and ankle surgeon may recommend:

• Medications to reduce swelling and pain
• Physical therapy to improve flexibility and strength
• Immobilizing your ankle with a cast, to aid in healing
• Surgical treatment includes placement of screws, plates, or pins to maintain the alignment of your ankle while it heals

Remember to practice prevention to decrease the risk of an ankle fracture. You should:

• Remove any objects on the floor you can trip over
• Try to walk on even, dry surfaces
• Use a night light to help you see where you are walking
• Always wear the right shoes for the activity you are doing
• Stretch and exercise regularly to maintain your strength, flexibility, and balance

To learn more about ankle surgery and recovery, talk with the experts. Call the podiatrists at the Los Angeles Institute of Foot and Ankle Surgery in Burbank, CA. You can reach them in the office by calling (818) 848-5588, so call today!