Ankle fractures are some of the more common personal injuries which can result from auto accidents in the Philadelphia area. There are three bones which make up your ankle joint—the tibia, the fibula, and the talus—and an ankle fracture can mean damage to one or more of those bones. An ankle fracture can range in severity from a small crack in a bone to a severe break that can break through the skin. Bucks County personal injury lawyer Michael L. Saile, Jr. shares some facts about ankle fracture treatment and recovery.
Ankle fractures can affect specific segments of your ankle bones. The following is a breakdown of the various ankle segments and the ways they can be injured in a Bucks County auto accident.
- Tibia: The tibia is also known as the shin bone. The specific parts of the tibia which make up your ankle are the medial malleolus, or the inside part, and the posterior malleolus, which is the outside part. While a medial malleolus fracture is usually isolated, a posterior malleolus fracture often occurs along with a fracture of the fibula, since the two bones have many ligaments in common. If the bone fragments are close together, nonsurgical options are available. The most common treatment is a plaster cast to immobilize part or all of the injured leg. Patients may be advised to keep weight off the injured ankle for about six weeks, and also to wear an ankle brace following that period. If the ankle fracture is more severe, surgery may be considered. Following the surgery, a longer time of immobility may be necessary for recovery.
- Fibula: The fibula is a small bone on the outside of your ankle, and the lateral malleolus is the segment which is included in the ankle joint. The lateral malleolus can be fractured in a Philadelphia area auto accident due to trauma and extreme force. If the fracture is minor or the bones are not out of place, it can be treated with nonsurgical means. A plaster cast may be necessary, but it is usually only a short cast which leaves the majority of your leg mobile. Recovery time can be relatively short, especially if your ankle is stable. Surgery may be necessary if the fracture is more severe, and surgery may lead to a longer and more painful recovery.
- Talus: Your talus is located between the tibia and fibula and the rest of your foot, and it is the bone that completes the ankle joint. Most injuries to the talus, including talar fractures, result from auto accidents. If a talar fracture is not treated properly, you could end up with complications like arthritis later in life. Talar fractures are considered very serious and nonsurgical treatment is rare. For this reason, your injury will probably require surgery and you may be restricted from putting any weight on your foot for at least three months.
You may think your ankle injury is minor following a Pennsylvania auto accident, but if you have suffered an ankle injury, it is important to seek medical treatment as soon as possible. If left untreated, an ankle fracture can may worsen and even heal incorrectly. Failure to get documentation of your injury from a medical professional may also hurt your personal injury case.
If you’ve been injured in a Philadelphia area auto accident, contact the experienced Bucks County personal injury lawyers at Cordisco & Saile LLC now to schedule a FREE consultation. Don’t forget to download your FREE copy of our PA Car Accident Book.
