Ankle fracture Perth
What is an ankle fracture?
An ankle fracture is a break in one or more of the bones that make up your ankle joint – the tibia, fibula, or talus. It commonly happens after a fall, a sports injury, repeated stress on the ankle joint, or a sudden, jarring movement.
An ankle fracture may be a small hairline crack or a complex break involving several bones. In some cases the bones remain aligned; in others, they shift out of place, leaving the ankle unstable.
What does an ankle fracture feel like compared to a sprain?
Trying to figure out if you’ve got an ankle sprain or a fracture can be tricky. The symptoms of an ankle fracture and a sprain are surprisingly similar, both leading to pain, swelling, and a feeling of instability.
- With an ankle sprain, the ligaments around your ankle are stretched or torn. You’ll feel a sharp pain at the moment it happens, and you’ll notice swelling and bruising later, but you can sometimes tolerate putting a bit of weight on the foot.
- With a fracture, the pain is usually more intense, especially when you try to stand on it. A tell-tale sign is a visible deformity of the ankle, or a crack you may have heard or felt at the time of the injury. In severe cases, the bone can pierce the skin.
Ankle fracture Perth diagnosis and care
How are ankle fractures diagnosed?
When you come in, we’ll start by examining your ankle for swelling, tenderness, and bruising. We use X-rays to confirm an ankle fracture and see if the bones have shifted. For more complex cases, a CT or MRI scan may be ordered to get a detailed view of the joint surface and surrounding ligaments.
Getting a fast and accurate diagnosis is the most important step. An ankle fracture that goes untreated or is managed improperly can cause long-term problems like arthritis or persistent instability. A clear diagnosis helps us decide the most suitable treatment, whether that’s a cast or surgery.
The type of ankle fracture patients may experience can vary a lot:
- Stable fractures: The bone is cracked but stays in place. These can often be treated with a boot, cast, or brace and usually heal well without surgery.
- Displaced fractures: The bone fragments have shifted, so surgery is usually required to realign the ankle and make it stable again.
- Bimalleolar or trimalleolar fractures: These breaks involve two or three parts of the ankle joint. Because they affect stability, they almost always need surgery.
- Open fractures: This is a severe injury where the bone breaks through the skin, and it requires immediate surgery to prevent infection and repair the joint.
Ankle fractures can range from a simple crack to a severe injury involving multiple bones and ligaments. The more complex the fracture, the more important it is to act quickly to avoid long-term problems
Treatment options for ankle fracture
Non-surgical treatment
Surgery isn’t always needed for an ankle fracture. If the bone is cracked but stays in place and only one bone is affected, it can often be managed without surgery.
Treatment may include:
- Wearing a cast, boot or brace to immobilise the ankle
- Using crutches to keep weight off the joint
- Taking medicine for pain and swelling
- Attending follow-up X-rays to monitor healing
As you begin to heal, physiotherapy is vital to help you regain full strength, movement, and balance. For many patients, this non-surgical route provides an excellent recovery, and surgery is not needed.
Surgical treatment for ankle fractures
Surgery is often recommended for more complex ankle fractures. The aim is to realign the bone fragments and hold them securely so the ankle can heal in a stable position.
Surgery is most often necessary when:
- The bones are out of place (displaced)
- More than one bone is broken
- The joint is unstable
Types of ankle fracture surgery
- Open Reduction and Internal Fixation (ORIF)
This is the most common surgical procedure for an ankle fracture. During the procedure, the bone fragments are carefully realigned and then held in their correct position using internal hardware like metal plates, screws, or rods. The operation is carried out under a general anaesthetic, and most patients will stay in hospital overnight. - Syndesmosis stabilisation
Some fractures affect the ligaments that join the two lower leg bones (known as the syndesmosis). In these cases, screws or a tightrope device are used to stabilise the joint while it heals. - Ligament repair or reconstruction
In severe injuries where ligaments are torn, repair or ankle reconstruction may be performed during the same operation. This helps restore stability and prevent long-term ankle weakness.
Our goal is always to restore proper function to your ankle and help reduce the chance of future injury.
Recovery after ankle fracture surgery
Recovery after ankle fracture surgery usually takes three to six months, although this varies for each patient. Following your operation, the main priority is to protect the healing bone, after which we will transition to restoring your mobility and strength.
Your treatment might include:
- Boot or cast: usually worn for 6 weeks
- Crutches: typically needed for 6–8 weeks until weight bearing is safe
- Physiotherapy: starts once healing begins to restore mobility and strength
Some patients return to normal activities sooner, while others take longer depending on the type of fracture and the surgery required.
Expertise in ankle fracture surgery
A/Prof Dr Gerard Hardisty routinely performs a wide range of ankle fracture procedures, including:
- ORIF for unstable or displaced fractures
- Syndesmosis repair with screws or tightrope fixation
- Ligament repair and ankle reconstruction
- Ankle fusion if fractures lead to joint collapse or arthritis
Ankle replacement for advanced post-traumatic damage
Dealing with complex fractures and injuries is one of the toughest parts of my job. These cases need precise imaging and quick action.
From straightforward breaks to high-energy trauma, your care is managed with precise planning and surgical expertise.
Ankle fracture Perth surgeon
Why The Foot & Ankle Centre?
For over 25 years, The Foot & Ankle Centre in Perth has provided specialist care in foot and ankle surgery. Led by Dr Hardisty, our practice treats a wide variety of injuries, from sports-related fractures to long-term joint conditions. We operate at Hollywood Hospital and St John of God Murdoch Hospital, and we aim to see patients promptly after injury.
Whether you’re a top athlete or someone dealing with a painful injury from daily life, our goal is to get you back on your feet and moving well again.
You are welcome to book an appointment with our team. Early assessment helps guide the most appropriate treatment for your recovery.
