How can I recover from an ankle fracture?

If you have any queries or suggestions, please feel free to reach out via email to info@harisonfitness.com. We will do everything in our capacity to ensure that you love your experience with us.

Ankle fractures are very common. For example, a hard blow, a car accident, or a fall from a height can all lead to a fracture in the ankle. Fractures in this area are very painful; not only do they cause significant discomfort, but they also make walking extremely difficult. So, what is the best way to treat a fracture in this area?

01 Treatment Methods for Ankle Fractures

1. Emergency Treatment

If you suffer an ankle fracture in an accident, it is essential to remain calm. First, lay the affected leg flat and avoid moving it as much as possible. Then, call 120 for emergency assistance and wait patiently. If there are others nearby, you can ask them to find a board to immobilize the injured area. This will help prevent the fracture from dislocating and causing further complications.

2. Medication

If the fracture is not severe, medication may be an option, but it must be taken under a doctor’s supervision. Do not take medication on your own. If the medication is not appropriate for your condition, or if you refuse treatment despite a serious injury, you risk delaying proper care, which could result in a lifelong disability. Additionally, it is important to understand that medication does not provide immediate results; it can only relieve pain, reduce swelling, and alleviate inflammation. Expecting instant results is unrealistic.

3. Surgical Treatment

If the fracture is severe, open reduction and internal fixation may be performed to stabilize the broken bone from within. However, surgery cannot be performed at any time. If there is severe swelling in the ankle area—or even blisters—the procedure must be postponed to avoid the risk of infection.

02 What Are the Postoperative Outcomes?
Ankle fractures can be fully healed. Although the initial results are generally satisfactory, over time and with increased activity, the ankle joint will experience progressively greater wear and tear. While individuals with healthy ankles may not notice any significant changes, patients with a history of fractures may perceive a difference; in more severe cases, they may even feel that certain functions are impaired.

03 Postoperative Recovery
Exercise 1: Progressive Weight-Bearing on One Leg

Key Points: Perform this exercise while standing. Keep your upper body upright, with both arms hanging naturally and relaxed at your sides. Stand with both feet together, then step forward with the affected leg. Gradually and cautiously shift your body’s center of gravity onto the affected leg. The toes of the unaffected leg should remain on the ground, though the heel may be raised slightly. Throughout the exercise, maintain body stability. You should feel increasing pressure on the ankle joint and growing tension in the calf muscles. Repeat this exercise, performing 2 sets of 8 repetitions each.

Exercise 2: Seated Balance Board Exercise

Key Points: Perform this exercise while seated, keeping your upper body relaxed and your lower body resting on the floor. Prepare a balance board and place the affected foot on it. Rock the foot back and forth and side to side to increase the range of motion in the ankle joint. If you don’t have a balance board, you can place a tennis ball under a wooden board to achieve the same training effect. However, using a tennis ball may make the board less stable and cause significant wobbling, so be very careful when performing this exercise. Repeat this exercise 3 sets at a time, holding each set for 30 seconds.

Perform these two exercises 40 minutes after a meal, 2 to 3 times a day. This will effectively improve joint stability and aid in recovery.