Fracture is the commonest orthopedic injury that is seen in people of all age groups. Plus, it could also occur anywhere in our body and due to multiple reasons. Sometimes, they are so serious that surgery is required for their treatment, and it often involves the use of orthopedic implants and instruments.
Fractures in the ankle are most seen, and why not, it holds most of our body weight. When it comes to ankle fractures, the lateral malleolus is known to often get injured.
This post will talk about lateral malleolus fractures in detail and give insights into their symptoms, causes, diagnosis, and treatment.
Lateral Malleolus Fracture – An Overview
There are two bony prominences present around our ankle, one is on the outside and another on the inside. The bony bump that is there on the inner part of the ankle is known as lateral malleolus, and the break occurring at this location is known as lateral malleolus fracture.
Formed by the fibula, lateral malleolus gets injured due to sudden twisting or rolling of the foot or ankle. This could happen while walking, doing exercise, running, or performing any sports activities. This is a painful condition that is followed by many other symptoms that may become worse in severe cases or if the treatment is delayed.
Causes of Lateral Malleolus Fracture
Fractures often occur due to an injury or if excess weight is applied than the bone can bear. Some fractures are a result of age-related degeneration of bones.
The most common cause of lateral malleolus fracture is rolling or twisting of the ankle. In some cases, a direct impact caused by a solid or hard object on the ankle could also break the lateral malleolus. A trip or fall is also known to be the cause of fracture in the lateral malleolus.
Symptoms of Lateral Malleolus Fracture
Severe pain is the most common symptom that is experienced by people suffering from lateral malleolus fracture. Swelling around the ankle is also seen when the break in lateral malleolus occurs. During the physical examination, the doctor will also notice tenderness to touch.
People suffering from this condition will find it difficult to put weight on the injured ankle, and if they do, it would be very painful.
Diagnosis of Lateral Malleolus Fracture
One of the key findings that doctors would like to get during the diagnosis of the condition is whether the fracture is isolated or not. This helps in deciding the best treatment method.
The diagnosis is made with the physical examination where the doctor will look for deformities around the ankle along with other signs & symptoms like swelling, bruising, and painful movements. If the fracture is isolated, there are high chances that it will be stable, and when compared to unstable fractures, they are easier to treat.
Imaging tests like x-ray may also be required to see the severity, location, and type of fracture that occurred.
Treatment of Lateral Malleolus Fracture
Stable lateral malleolus fractures are often treated with non-surgical methods, and here, the aim is to relieve the symptoms caused. The methods tried may include:
- Application of ice to reduce pain and swelling
- Elevating the knee to minimize swelling
- Consumption of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs as suggested by the doctor to curb inflammation
- Rest and immobilization of the ankle during the treatment to avoid making the condition worse
- Use of walking casts, walking boots, or ankle braces depending upon the condition
Most cases of lateral malleolus fractures can be treated with the above-mentioned methods but, when it comes to unstable ankle conditions, surgery may be required. Keeping post-surgical complications in mind, the doctors rarely recommend surgical intervention for the treatment of fractures occurring in the lateral malleolus.
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