A foot fracture is one of the common injuries. Almost every fifth case of fractures in the human body occurs due to damage to the bones that form the foot. If left untreated, the injury can lead to loss of the ability to walk.
A fracture can occur if a heavy object falls on the foot. Other probable causes include jumping from high heights and sudden turns of the foot. The metatarsal bone can be broken as a result of strong pressure on it or due to overexertion and increased loads.
Symptoms that may indicate a foot fracture are swelling in the injured area and severe pain. In most cases, the pain is so severe that the person cannot step on their foot. If the bones have been displaced, the foot becomes deformed, sometimes with a fracture, bruising becomes noticeable.
In some cases, all the symptoms are mild, so the person does not know that he has suffered a fracture of the bones of the foot. Because of this, only a doctor can make an accurate diagnosis.
If there is a suspicion of a foot fracture, a person requires first aid, which will help alleviate the patient’s suffering with severe pain. It is best to immediately apply a splint to the bone. To fix the bone, you can tape a board to it with a bandage or tie the sore leg to the healthy leg with a scarf.
If an open fracture occurs, you must first disinfect the wound and stop the bleeding. Under no circumstances should you try to set the bone yourself. The wound should be treated with hydrogen peroxide or iodine applied to the skin around it. Next, apply a sterile bandage. The main method for diagnosing injury is radiography.
Treatment tactics are chosen after diagnosis. The doctor determines the type of fracture and its location. The foot consists of several bones:
The talus ensures that the load created by the weight of the human body is transferred to the foot. There are no muscles attached to it. The cause of overfishing of this bone is usually due to indirect trauma. This is one of the most severe types of foot bone fractures, but it is quite rare. Often accompanied by a sprained or broken ankle. Other bones and joints may also be damaged.
Usually the injury is accompanied by severe pain, the foot swells, the swelling can spread to the ankle joint, bruising often appears on the skin, and sometimes deformation of the foot is observed - in case of displacement of fragments
To clarify the diagnosis, radiography is performed in two projections.
Treatment depends primarily on the type of fracture. If displacement is detected, it is necessary to compare the parts of the broken bone as soon as possible. Sometimes it is not possible to return the bone to the correct position due to late consultation with a doctor and a comparison.
A plaster cast is applied for 30-45 days. After 3 weeks, you need to periodically remove the splint and perform movements in the ankle. This will make rehabilitation easier. During the rehabilitation period, massage, physiotherapeutic procedures, and exercise therapy are prescribed. It may take up to 3 months to fully restore ability to work and mobility.
This injury is caused by direct impact on the bone. In many cases, the fracture is accompanied by damage to other bones. The pain is usually very severe. The person cannot step on his foot. Signs of hemorrhage appear on the skin, and the injured area swells. Sharp pain occurs when a person tries to turn the foot in an outward or inward direction, as well as when palpating the affected area. The doctor will usually order an x-ray to confirm the diagnosis.
If a non-displaced fracture is obtained, the patient is given a circular plaster cast, which fixes the bone in the injured area
In case of displacement, preliminary comparison of the parts of the broken bone is required; in some cases, open reduction must be performed. The plaster is applied for 4-5 weeks.
A fracture is more difficult to treat if it is combined with a dislocation. If you do not correctly reduce a fragment that is dislocated, traumatic flatfoot may occur. For reduction, a special traction apparatus is used. In some cases, the dislocation is reduced using the open method, in which the fragment is secured with a silk suture. In this case, the limb should be immobilized for 10-12 weeks. During the recovery period, your doctor may recommend wearing orthopedic shoes.
In most cases, such injuries occur as a result of a heavy object falling on the back of the foot. The damaged area swells, turning the foot in any direction, as well as palpation become very painful. After the fracture is confirmed by X-ray results, a cast is applied for 1-1.5 months. The rehabilitation period can drag on for up to a year. Most often, doctors prescribe wearing an instep support during this time.
This part of the foot is susceptible to fractures more often than others. There are two types of metatarsal fractures: stress and traumatic. Traumatic injury can occur after a heavy fall on the foot, a strong blow, or any other external mechanical impact.
When a leg injury occurs, a characteristic crunch is heard and severe pain is felt. The injured finger may shorten or deviate to the side. Over time, the pain may become less severe, but it does not go away completely. Hematoma or swelling may occur in the injured area.
Stress fractures occur most often in people who lead physically active lives, such as professional athletes. With such a fracture, a crack forms on the bone, which is quite difficult to detect.
A crack is formed as a result of prolonged and heavy load on the foot.
Cases in which the patient suffers from concomitant diseases (deformation changes in the bones of the foot, osteoporosis) are considered more complex. Metatarsal stress fractures can occur due to constant wearing of ill-fitting shoes.
The damage manifests itself as pain after prolonged and intense exercise. With rest, the pain goes away. Over time, the intensity of the pain increases to a level at which performing any actions involving the foot becomes impossible. Even during periods of rest, the pain persists. The injured area swells.
The danger of a stress fracture is that it is often ignored and not sought medical attention. Therefore, complications often develop. The most common case is a fracture of the fifth metatarsal.
If you twist your leg inward, you can get an avulsion fracture, in which the bone is torn off and displaced. It is important to seek medical help as soon as possible, as the bone may not heal properly and may require surgery to return it to its normal position.
Stress can also cause a Jones fracture, which occurs at the base of the fifth metatarsal, an area where blood circulation is very poor. The damaged bone in this place heals very slowly.
At the diagnostic stage, the doctor examines not only the area of the metatarsal bones, but also the ankle joint. The purpose of the examination is to identify swelling, deformation and signs of hemorrhage. To confirm the diagnosis, a picture is taken in three projections: direct, lateral and semi-lateral.
For a minor fracture, the doctor may only prescribe a splint. For complete fusion of bone tissue, several weeks of inactivity in the injured limb will be required.
If fragments are displaced during a metatarsal bone fracture, surgery is required. In this case, the skin in the damaged area is opened, which makes it possible to compare the pieces of the broken bone as accurately as possible. Once aligned, pins or screws are used to secure the bone. After this, a cast is applied, which must be worn for up to 6 weeks. Do not step on the injured leg. You can start walking normally only after these 6 weeks. The fixing elements are removed after 3-4 months, respectively. In the future, it is advisable for the patient to wear orthopedic shoes or with insoles.
If the bone destruction is significant, internal fixation will be required; special screws are used for this.
If a Jones fracture is detected, a cast is applied to the area from the toes to the middle third of the leg. You must wear a plaster cast for up to two months. You cannot lean on your injured leg. To avoid putting stress on the limb, it is necessary to use crutches when walking. The patient must be under the supervision of a doctor so that the recovery process proceeds correctly. The doctor will also select a rehabilitation program to restore the functionality of the foot after an injury.
The rehabilitation period can be very long. To restore the functionality of the foot, physiotherapy, massage, therapeutic physical exercises, and wearing arch supports are prescribed. If there is improper treatment or its absence after a fracture, complications may arise in the form of arthrosis, nonunion, constant pain, and deformation.
This type of fracture occurs as a result of direct impact to the bone. Most often this is a drop in gravity. If the main phalanges are not fused correctly, the functions of the foot may be impaired. Sometimes the mobility of the injured limb is limited due to severe pain when stepping on the leg. If a fracture of the middle or nail phalanges occurs, then there will be no such consequences.
A broken finger becomes blue, and severe pain is felt when moving. Sometimes bruising appears under the nail. If the bones are not displaced, then it is enough to apply a plaster splint on the back of the finger. If the fracture is closed and displaced, closed reduction will be required. Knitting needles are used to fix the bone. If the nail phalanx is fractured, it is enough to apply a bandage. How long to walk in a cast will depend on the complexity of the injury; on average, the affected limb must be immobilized for 4-6 weeks.
With proper and timely treatment of foot fractures, complications and consequences can almost always be avoided. Also, correct and timely treatment can shorten the rehabilitation period and restore full function of the foot.
Fractures of the sphenoid, cluboid and scaphoid bones are quite rare. The mechanism of fractures is usually reduced to direct trauma, for example, from a blow to the foot or when a heavy object falls on the foot. Often there is a fracture of two or even three of these bones at the same time, or a combination of fractures of the cuboid, scaphoid or sphenoid bones with dislocations of the metatarsal or tarsal bones occurs. Displacement, as a rule, does not occur, but fractures may be comminuted and may also be accompanied by damage to the ligaments.
Fractures of the scaphoid are divided into extra-articular or marginal and intra-articular. The most common fractures are intra-articular. Quite rarely, so-called fracture-dislocations of the scaphoid bone occur, which are accompanied by dislocation of the fragment. There may be avulsion of the navicular tuberosity, which affects the tendon of the tibialis posterior muscle that attaches to it. Victims usually complain of pain in the arch of the foot, swelling, and bleeding in the area of injury. The pain intensifies when moving the foot, when walking and when palpating. The supporting function of the foot is impaired. With fractures of the navicular bone, pressure on the first, second and third toes increases the pain significantly. The diagnosis is confirmed by taking x-rays.
Treatment of fractures of the sphenoid and cuboid bones begins, first of all, with anesthesia of the fracture zone using solutions of local anesthetics. In cases without complications, after pain relief, a plaster cast is usually applied, which starts from the tips of the fingers and reaches the middle third of the leg. The bandage lasts for approximately six weeks. Particular attention is paid to the correct modeling of the arch of the foot. After the plaster cast is removed, the doctor prescribes physiotherapeutic treatment, mechanical therapy to develop the ankle joint, and physical therapy. It is recommended to wear special orthopedic shoes throughout the year.
When scaphoid fractures occur, a cast is usually applied for up to four weeks. If a separation of the tuberosity of the scaphoid bone is detected, the fragment is surgically fixed to the scaphoid bone. Intra-articular fractures of the scaphoid require immobilization for seven to eight weeks.
If displacement of fragments is observed, the doctor prescribes surgical treatment. The fragment is reduced and fixed using a pin. After the operation, a circular plaster cast is applied for eight weeks. For comminuted fractures, the duration of immobilization increases to twelve weeks.
After removing the plaster, mechanotherapy, physiotherapy and physical therapy are always prescribed. Wearing special orthopedic shoes with arch supports is recommended for a year. It is strictly forbidden to wear high heels.
Now let's focus on the kneecap fracture. The patella is a flat, round bone that sits in front of the knee joint.
There are several types of patellar fractures:
marginal, in case of a split off part of the patella.
Fractures of the patella can be without displacement or with displacement of fragments. A patellar fracture usually occurs due to a direct mechanism of traumatic injury, that is, a fall on the knee. Quite rarely, the mechanism of injury may be indirect. This occurs when there is a sharp sudden tension in the quadriceps femoris muscle, the fact is that its tendon is partially attached to the patella. As a result, as a rule, a part of the patella is torn off, that is, an avulsion fracture. After surgical treatment of the fracture, a plaster cast is applied for up to one and a half months. After removing the plaster cast, the doctor prescribes physiotherapeutic treatment and exercise therapy.
Many patients with a metatarsal fracture turn to a traumatologist with the question: “How long should I wear a cast? Will I be able to walk without crutches after a fracture? How to restore a leg after an injury? We will try to answer these and other questions in our article.
The human foot has a complex anatomical structure, which consists of muscles, bones, tendons and ligaments, as well as soft tissues. In total, the foot includes 26 bones, of which only 5 are metatarsal bones. These are the longest bones of the midfoot.
According to modern statistics, metatarsal bone fractures account for 5% - 6% of all skeletal bone fractures. This type of injury is equally common among male and female patients. The most common fractures of the fifth and fourth metatarsal bones occur (due to their anatomical location), fractures of the third metatarsal bone are quite rare.
All the bones of the human foot form a very complex multifunctional mechanism that ensures human movement and endures enormous loads of various types. Bones help absorb shock with every step a person takes.
All 26 bones of the foot are closely interconnected with each other. If any damage or displacement of one of the many components occurs as a result of injury, this can further lead to deformation and dysfunction of other bones.
If a person has suffered a fracture of the metatarsal bones as a result of an injury, he needs to contact a professional orthopedic traumatologist.
A fracture of the metatarsal bones is a violation of their anatomical integrity due to exposure to traumatic factors.
Let us consider the features of the clinical picture and treatment of each type of metatarsal fracture.
The main causes of this type of fracture are a blow to the foot with a heavy object or its twisting as a result of walking or running.
If the victim has a fracture of the metatarsal bones without displacement, the fragments of the damaged bone retain their anatomical position. With an open fracture, the integrity of the patient’s skin is compromised, and bone fragments may be visible from the wound.
Open fractures of the metatarsal bones are dangerous with a high risk of infection and the subsequent development of such serious complications as phlegmon, sepsis, osteomyelitis, tetanus and gangrene.
In traumatology, one of the types of fractures of the metatarsal bones of the foot is a Jones fracture. This type of fracture occurs at the base of the fifth metatarsal bone and is characterized by very slow healing of the fragments. In some patients, the bone in this place almost never heals.
Very often, when visiting a doctor, patients are misdiagnosed and mistreated for foot sprains. Such tactics can lead to dire consequences.
This type of fracture appears as cracks that are barely noticeable on x-rays.
These types of fractures require timely and adequate treatment , because they can lead to adverse consequences over time.
The main clinical signs of a stress fracture are:
If the above symptoms appear, the victim must consult a traumatologist. A metatarsal fracture and a foot sprain have very similar symptoms. Some patients have the mistaken belief that if they can walk, then they do not need medical help: “With time, everything will go away on its own.” However, untimely diagnosis and improper treatment of stress fractures of the metatarsal bones can lead to serious complications, the consequences of which will be very difficult to correct.
In case of a fracture of the metatarsal bones, the diagnosis is made on the basis of anamnesis (presence of injury), patient complaints, objective examination of the foot, and x-ray examination.
The tactics of treatment depends on the nature and location of the fracture of the metatarsal bones, as well as on the fact of displacement of the fragments.
Types of treatment in modern traumatology:
Thanks to modern advances in medicine, and in particular osteosynthesis, the doctor can compare bone fragments and hold them in the correct position. During surgical treatment, the patient undergoes intraosseous fixation using a rod. This technique allows you to start loading the foot quite early and expand the range of active and passive movements of the toes.
What are the indications for the use of intraosseous osteosynthesis:
Intraosseous osteosynthesis is not used:
During the recovery period, the patient is prescribed therapeutic exercises and physiotherapy.
Several types of treatment are used:
Rest and immobility during a fracture of the metatarsal bones are necessary to reduce acute traumatic changes, as well as to prevent secondary displacement and create the most favorable conditions for bone healing.
If the victim has a fracture of the metatarsal bones without displacement of the fragments, after mandatory consultation with a traumatologist, the usual plaster cast can be replaced with a special orthosis.
When wearing an orthosis, you can put physical stress on your leg, but in such a way as not to provoke the development of pain and swelling of the soft tissues of the foot.
During immobilization of the foot using a properly selected orthotic bandage, the patient may be prescribed pain relief, physical therapy, vascular medications and various ointments to reduce swelling. After the swelling of the soft tissues of the leg decreases, a control x-ray can be taken after 5-7 days.
Modern traumatology and surgery very often encounters a fracture of the fifth metatarsal bone. Considering the fact that anatomically this bone is located closer to the outer edge of the foot, most often it is exposed to various traumatic influences. Its damage occurs when the foot rolls in . The clinical picture of a fracture of the fifth metatarsal bone is characterized by swelling of the foot in the area of injury, as well as severe pain. The victim cannot walk or lean on the injured leg.
Fractures of the metatarsal bone can be localized in the area of the base, its middle part and apex.
The mechanism of injury in this case is the application of force in the vertical, as well as in the mediolateral direction, to the base of the 5th metatarsal bone with the foot, which at this time is in a position of plantar flexion. Jones' fracture occurs in victims of cyclic stress loads.
After receiving an injury, the patient should seek help from a trauma surgeon.
First aid at the prehospital stage:
Treatment of a fifth metatarsal fracture:
If the metatarsal bones are fractured, the patient must wear a plaster cast for at least 1.5 months.
The traumatologist allows the patient to step on the injured leg only after the control x-ray shows that the fracture of the metatarsal bones has completely healed. It is prohibited to remove the plaster splint ahead of time and on your own . During the recovery period, it is very important to dose physical activity. In the first days, the patient should walk and step only on the heel, gradually increasing the load on the entire foot. The doctor must prescribe a course of physical therapy, which will quickly restore the physiological function of the foot and return the patient to normal life. If the patient experiences pain while performing exercises, the course must be stopped.
During the rehabilitation period, it is best for the patient to start swimming. Exercises in water will allow you to effectively restore foot function with minimal stress.
During this period, the patient must be prescribed massage and physiotherapy; you can do warm baths with salt or medicinal herbs yourself. If your leg is very swollen, you can use Lyoton 1000 or Troxevasin ointments.
Restoration of foot function usually occurs within a month after the cast is removed. In order for the bone to be strong, the patient must eat well, consume foods with a high content of calcium and vitamins every day.
For some patients, the doctor prescribes the wearing of special orthopedic shoes or insoles.
Considering that the patient’s foot was without movement for a long time, to quickly restore its functions, it is recommended to do such simple exercises at home.
Toe fractures are a fairly common injury. A fracture of a finger can occur as a result of a heavy object falling on it, as a result of an impact with an object. A fracture can also occur when the foot is twisted and as a result of even a slight impact on the leg, if the bone tissue is not strong enough, this may be as a result of the presence of a disease that contributes to pathological changes in bone tissue (osteoporosis, osteomyelitis).
If a toe fracture does not disrupt the integrity of the soft tissues, such a fracture is called closed. An open fracture is called when the integrity is broken. Also, a fracture can be with or without displacement of bone fragments. A distinction is made between a complete fracture and an incomplete fracture. All phalanges of the toe can be fractured. A combined finger fracture is called when two or more phalanges of the finger are damaged.
Pain syndrome, the appearance of swelling of soft tissues, some dysfunction of the foot, the presence of a hematoma and acute pain when moving a finger can indicate relative signs of a fracture. The absolute signs of a fracture are non-physiological mobility and position of the fingers, the presence of a crunch when palpating the injured fingers.
Of particular note is the fracture of the big toe . He is the largest of all. It experiences significantly more stress when walking than other fingers. Fractures often occur inside the thumb joint and are characterized by intense pain. The function of the entire limb is significantly impaired. Swelling spreads to the entire foot. The color of the skin becomes bluish, and when you try to perform physical activity in the area of injury, sharp pain occurs.
The diagnosis of a toe fracture is made based on a combination of relative and absolute signs, anamnestic data and X-ray data.
Pain relief is the first thing that urgently needs to be done when a toe is broken. If the second toe, third, fourth or fifth toe is fractured, a plaster splint is applied to the foot. I remove the splint after an average of five weeks. If a fracture of the big toe , a plaster cast is applied for at least six weeks, from the toes to the shin (its upper third).
Surgical treatment is indicated for fractures of the fingers inside the joint. During the treatment process, the fragments are repositioned using pins to fix them inside the joint, and sometimes special devices (compression-distraction) are applied. To prevent toe fractures, you should wear comfortable shoes with non-slip soles that fit exactly.
In our clinic, , treats toe fractures .
Therefore, implants should be removed routinely approximately one year after installation. Another thing is that the removal of structures from the pelvic bones is often accompanied by heavy bleeding, extensive tissue damage, and the risk of trauma to the pelvic organs. As a result, removal of implants should be performed only when absolute indications appear - complications, signs of implant rejection, etc. Only the wires in the leg during a fracture, fixing the symphysis pubis, can be removed as planned; with this operation, extensive trauma can be avoided.
Emergency removal of metal structures Indications for emergency removal may include: Technically, removal of osteosynthesis is a simple operation if the metal structure is installed correctly, according to the accepted methodology.
When the spokes are located externally, simple mechanical removal is performed. With intraosseous fixation using pins, nails, screws, a full-fledged operation is performed under general anesthesia or general anesthesia. As a rule, this is an intra-articular implementation.
Open (or compound) fractures. A broken bone pierces the skin or touches a penetrating wound. The surgeon makes small incisions below the knee on each side of the leg and screws a threaded pin(s) into the bone. Both ends of the knitting needle then. For fractures of the tibia, the pin is passed beyond the supramalleolar region, and for fractures of the lower extremity, the leg is placed on a Beler splint, the design of which allows for uniform relaxation of the antagonist muscles.
Skin dissection occurs with excision of the primary scar, or without excision. The joint capsule is opened, the structure is mechanically removed with special instruments, followed by suturing of the capsule, soft tissues, and skin.
To determine the condition of the implant, a control radiography is performed immediately before the operation to determine possible migration of screws or wires. Also the use of computed tomography.
An aseptic alcohol bandage is applied to the base of the wires near the skin. This is what the knitting needles look like in the postoperative period. In the future, treatment of the knitting needles for a fracture of the radius can be carried out independently, at home.
Removing a wire after a fracture Before removing the wires after a fracture, a control x-ray is taken to evaluate the healing of the fracture. Removal of the needles occurs in a dressing room, under local anesthesia as needed. After treating the skin with an antiseptic, the surgeon fixes the needle with an instrument and removes it, as in the photo below. The procedure usually happens quite well. Knitted wounds do not require suturing in the future and heal on their own.
Published: March 10, 2018 | Author: leuwiconre
The ankle is a process of the fibula and tibia that takes part in the formation of the ankle joint. The ankle consists of 2 parts: the lateral malleolus (located at the lower epiphysis of the fibula), and the medial malleolus (starts at the lower epiphysis of the tibia).
One of the most common leg injuries is considered to be a fracture of the ankle bones, accounting for about 20% of all cases of bone fractures, and 60% of all cases of lower leg injuries. In addition, traumatologists trace some seasonality to this injury, the frequency of which increases during the cold seasons, especially in winter. Most people injure their ankle from a fall, a blow, or an accident, but sometimes it can happen while walking. A wrong step or instability on the road often causes bruises and broken bones. The photo shows two typical fracture sites.
This predisposition of the ankle to frequent injuries is explained by its anatomical structure. It bears a constant heavy load on the entire body (one might say, even the strongest of all the joints and bones of the leg), since the entire weight of the human body is transmitted through the ankle to the foot.
It is impossible to prevent injury; anyone, both a child and an adult, can become a victim of a fracture. It occurs especially often in professional athletes, but even this feature does not make it an exclusively sports injury.
It's easy to break an ankle, but not everyone succeeds in healing it afterwards. According to statistics, about 10% of victims (especially the elderly) have complications with the injured leg, which does not allow them to walk normally, and such people become disabled. The main goal of doctors is not only the reconstruction of bone tissue to normal, but also the restoration of leg functions and blood circulation in damaged tissues.
In traumatology, ankle fractures are considered in the following types:
Considering the severity of the leg injury, the patient may have symptoms of different types and nature:
In addition to the shape of the fracture, the presence of symptoms can be influenced by both the nature and location of the leg injury:
In the long-term practice of traumatologists, various cases have come across. In some patients, the presence of clear symptoms of a fracture was not noticeable, and the pain was tolerable for them, which significantly complicated the diagnosis. If a hematoma is visually observed, this may indicate a ligament rupture, and in places of bone damage, the leg begins to swell.
The characteristic symptoms of a fracture of any bone can sometimes be present in the case of an ankle injury, which will greatly facilitate the doctor’s diagnosis and allow for faster treatment. These symptoms include:
Doctors develop a treatment plan based on the characteristics of the injury a person has received. An ankle fracture must be treated in any case, because it plays a big role in motor function, which is very important for normal life. Every victim wants to walk fully, so he completely relies on the doctor.
When an ankle is injured, traumatologists can use two treatment methods:
The first method is suitable for patients with relatively mild forms of fractures, especially those without displacement, because its consequences can be tragic:
A mild, non-displaced fracture does not always require a cast; in most cases, an elastic orthosis may be suitable. An orthosis on the ankle joint allows you to fix the leg and redistribute the load; it also does not provoke strong compression on the injured ankle and prevents relapses.
An ankle orthosis is a modern orthopedic device that firmly fixes the ankle in case of various types of injuries. In appearance, the orthosis resembles a sock or boot, but the toes remain open when worn. Modern orthoses are made of fabric, metal and plastic, and are secured with lacing, Velcro or fasteners.
Doctors have developed several types of orthoses that have different degrees of rigidity and have different purposes: preventive, rehabilitative and functional. The first type of orthosis is used to prevent injuries; the rehabilitation type is worn when a leg is injured for a faster recovery. A functional orthosis can be prescribed for patients with changes in the joint, who must walk with it almost always.
According to the degree of rigidity, orthoses are divided into:
Photo with soft orthosis.
Photo with a semi-rigid orthosis.
Photo showing a rigid orthosis.
Video demonstrating a rigid ankle orthosis.
Treatment for mild fractures is very similar to that developed for foot sprains, and complete recovery occurs after 1-1.5 months of wearing an immobilizer.
Without displacement of bone fragments, but using a plaster that is adjusted up to the knee (for both internal and external ankle fractures), the treatment period can last up to 1.5 months.
A closed fracture with displacement involves treatment in the form of repositioning of fragments under anesthesia, with further installation of a plaster. Both before and after placing the plaster, an x-ray of the damaged bone is taken. Immobilization lasts from 2 to 2.5 months.
All open forms of fractures are necessarily treated with surgery, which is aimed at repositioning fragments and stopping bleeding caused by damage to blood vessels.
The operation is prescribed by doctors within the next few days after the injury, as it is necessary to reduce swelling and hematoma. When choosing a surgical technique, doctors try to provide the most effective treatment with the shortest rehabilitation period.
If bone tissue does not heal properly, doctors may perform surgery to correct this defect. First, they re-break the bone and then reposition it. It may take about 2 months for the leg to be rebuilt and rehabilitated.
A complex fracture of the ankle with displacement and dislocation is treated by surgery - skeletal traction. Doctors use a design made of spokes and hanging weights. The patient spends the entire period of such treatment in bed. After surgery to remove the pins (about a month after their installation), a cast is placed on the leg. Often recovery occurs after 4 months, but in some cases people lose their ability to work for six months.
One of the most difficult operations is considered to be bone fixation using plates, which is performed in case of multiple displacement of fragments. The plates should hold the bone in place until it heals completely, a period of several weeks. During this time, soft tissues may be exposed. After the bone has fused, another operation is performed, during which these plates are removed and the soft tissue is sutured. In some cases, the plate may be left in place to replace a small area of bone.
For any operation, antibiotic therapy must be prescribed. This significantly reduces the chances of developing complications.
Video of surgery for a lateral ankle fracture.
After the doctors removed the plaster, the treatment was not over yet. The patient will not be able to properly step on his leg after a fracture, so he is required to undergo comprehensive rehabilitation, consisting of:
The emotional state of the patient is of great importance in the success of rehabilitation. After all, if he is reluctant to do gymnastics, perform exercises or attend physiotherapy sessions, the recovery period may be delayed.
A set of rehabilitation exercises is aimed at developing muscles and joints that have not been injured. The following exercises have a good effect in strengthening the legs:
To achieve maximum benefits from gymnastics, doctors advise doing no more than 10-15 minutes, 3-4 times a day. All exercises should be gradual, with moderate load. If the patient overdoes it, nothing good will come of it.
Video with the rules for performing ankle gymnastics after an ankle fracture. This video shows a full range of kneading for an injured leg.