What do hospitals do for a fracture?

A splint, brace, cast, or sling to keep bones in place as they heal. Crutches to take weight off of a broken bone. Exercises to help with muscle strength and range of motion.

What do they do for a broken ankle?

A broken bone must be immobilized so that it can heal. In most cases, this requires a special boot or a cast. Surgery. In some cases, an orthopedic surgeon may need to use pins, plates or screws to maintain proper position of your bones during healing.

Can you diagnose a broken bone without an X-ray?

Without an X-ray, it can be difficult to tell if an individual has a fracture, or broken bone. In fact, some people may even be able to walk on a fractured leg depending on where their injury is. 1 While all fractures cause pain, there are other signs to look out for that may indicate that a bone is broken.

What is the recovery time for a broken ankle?

It takes at least 6 weeks for the broken bones to heal. It may take longer for the involved ligaments and tendons to heal. As mentioned above, your doctor will most likely monitor the bone healing with repeated x-rays. This is typically done more often during the first 6 weeks if surgery is not chosen.

Should I go to ER for broken ankle?

If you are unable to see your doctor and have any of the signs or symptoms of an ankle fracture, you should go to an emergency department as soon as possible. The following signs and symptoms call for immediate care at an emergency department: Gross deformity of the ankle bones. Bones visible outside your skin.

Is it possible to walk on a broken ankle?

Many people assume that if you can put weight on the ankle then it isn’t broken, however, it is possible to walk on a broken ankle, particularly with a less severe fracture. If you’re concerned your ankle may be broken, we recommend contacting your doctor, who can conduct an examination or order and xray if necessary.

Will an ankle fracture show up on an X-ray?

Most ankle fractures can be visualized on X-rays. The technician may need to take X-rays from several different angles so that the bone images won’t overlap too much. Stress fractures often don’t show up on X-rays until the break actually starts healing.

What happens during a physical exam for a broken ankle?

Broken ankle. Diagnosis. During the physical exam, your doctor will check for points of tenderness in your ankle. The precise location of your pain can help determine its cause. They may move your foot into different positions, to check your range of motion. You may be asked to walk for a short distance so that your doctor can examine your gait.

How long do you have to wear a cast for broken ankle?

Without surgery, your ankle will be placed in a cast or splint for 4 to 8 weeks. The length of time you must wear a cast or splint depends on the type of fracture you have. Your cast or splint may be changed more than once, as your swelling goes down. In most cases, you will not be allowed to bear weight on your injured ankle…

What is the difference between splinting and casting for a broken ankle?

Splinting of the ankle is done initially to immobilize the fracture and it will be kept in place for a few days to give room if the swelling persists. The ankle will be aligned properly prior to splinting. If the swelling subsides, casting will be done. Casts are made either of plaster or fiberglass.

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