How long can you wait to do surgery on a broken ankle?

If you have a broken bone (wrist, arm, ankle or leg) you may need to wait until swelling has gone down before having surgery. This will minimise any complications during and after the procedure. If surgeons operate on a swollen limb they may have difficulty closing the wound after surgery.

How long can you wait to treat a fracture?

Most fractures heal in 6-8 weeks, but this varies tremendously from bone to bone and in each person based on many of the factors discussed above. Hand and wrist fractures often heal in 4-6 weeks whereas a tibia fracture may take 20 weeks or more.

What happens if you don’t get surgery for a broken ankle?

These types of ankle fractures are very unstable, and will require surgery to stabilize the joint. If these injuries are not stabilized with surgery, the bones will likely shift, causing a malalignment of the joint, which may lead to post-traumatic arthritis in the ankle.

Can you walk on a broken ankle after 4 weeks?

If you don’t need surgery, you might be able to walk on your own within six to eight weeks. 2 If your fracture did require surgery, you may get a walking cast after two weeks; four to six weeks later, you may be able to apply some weight and be moved to a cast with a walker or crutches.

Can a broken ankle heal in 4 weeks?

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.

When do fractures need surgery?

While a large number of fractures may heal with casting or other type of immobilization, many other fractures will require surgery. Bone fracture surgical repair is performed when a broken bone can’t heal properly with casting, splinting or bracing alone.

What type of fractures require surgery?

Closed fracture – The skin remains unbroken. Displaced fracture – The bone fragments on each side of the break aren’t aligned, which may require surgery for complete healing. Comminuted fracture – The bone is broken into pieces, which may require surgery for complete healing.

Will my broken ankle ever stop hurting?

Immediately after you suffer the injury, an intense ache or sharp pain is typically produced by both the fracture and by other injuries to your body near the fracture site. Unfortunately, the pain doesn’t stop there. You may also experience pain during the fracture healing process.

What happens if you walk too soon after ankle surgery?

Putting any weight on an operated foot or ankle can damage the repair that’s been done. Bones need time to heal. Plates or screws that may have been added during surgery need the bones to heal around them. Adding weight too soon can interrupt this important internal healing process.

What happens if you walk on a broken ankle too soon?

Being off your feet for weeks can be frustrating, but this period of non-weight bearing activity is a crucial part of the recovery process. Walking on a broken ankle too early can prevent it from healing correctly and may make the injury worse.

How long should you stay off a fractured ankle?

It takes around six to 10 weeks to recover from a broken ankle. During this time, you will probably need to wear a cast or boot. Most people are able to walk normally again and resume their daily activities by around three months.

Do all ankle fractures need surgery?

There are several different types of ankle breaks, and not all require surgery. But when they do, it is important that they receive the appropriate surgery by a skilled foot and ankle specialist.

How long should I wait before having surgery for ankle fracture?

Ideally you should consult your foot and ankle surgeon who after assessment can guide you exactly how much you can wait before surgery. Sometimes surgery is urgent in cases of dislocation of ankle and sometimes you have to wait for 7-10 days to wait for swelling to subside.

How long does it take to recover from a broken ankle?

If there is a lot of swelling or if a medical condition needs to be adjusted, we frequently wait a week to 10 days before operating. If the fracture is stable and needs surgery, a day or two wait is no problem.

How long do you need crutches after ankle surgery?

Often, it will be a necessity to use crutches after ankle surgery. This will require identifying the best crutches for ankle surgery. Your doctor will tell you for how long, but as mentioned, your ankle fracture recovery can range anywhere from several weeks to several months, depending on your type of ankle fracture.

How do you treat a broken ankle without surgery?

There are several different ways to treat a broken ankle non-surgically so that it heals correctly. These range from an ankle brace, aircast, walking boot, to a fiberglass cast and usually includes orders to not put any weight on your injured ankle, or being non-weight bearing, for six weeks or more.