Ankle injuries are extremely common. Approximately 30,000 occur every year in the United States and account for up to half of all those sustained during sports.

Ankle avulsion is a very particular type of injury. It can be extremely painful and often needs medical interventions to heal properly.

Below is a comprehensive guide to ankle avulsion, including causes and appropriate treatments. Keep reading to learn more.

What Is Ankle Avulsion?

An avulsion fracture is where a small fragment of bone breaks away but remains attached to a ligament. This can happen in the ankle for a variety of reasons. Common ones include sudden changes in direction (such as while playing sports), sprinting, kicking, jumping, or landing with force on the ankle.

How Is Ankle Avulsion Diagnosed?

Sudden, severe pain is one of the most common symptoms of ankle avulsion fractures. Individuals may also hear a popping or cracking sound when the injury occurs.

Bruising and swelling are other typical symptoms. Injured persons also may find it difficult to walk or move their ankles without pain.

What Are the Treatments for Ankle Avulsion?

There are several effective treatments for ankle avulsion. Here are the main ones to consider.

Conservative Treatments

In many cases, ankle avulsions will get better on their own. It can take up to six months for complete healing to take place.

During this time, the individual should avoid activities that could exacerbate the injury. Elevating the foot and applying ice packs can help reduce swelling and alleviate pain.

Compression bandages and wraps can provide support while mobile. Over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medications, such as ibuprofen and acetaminophen, can help combat inflammation and treat pain.

Casts and Splints

For minor ankle avulsions that will not heal on their own, splints and casts may be necessary for immobilizing the foot. In most cases, patients will need to use crutches to avoid putting any pressure on the foot.

Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation

In some instances, physical therapy can be employed in the healing of ankle avulsions. It can help restore the range of motion in the foot and strengthen the muscles around the injured area. This can produce more stability, expedite injury rehabilitation, and help prevent future injuries.

Surgical Interventions

In severe cases, or in instances where other treatments have failed, surgery may be needed to treat ankle avulsion. This usually involves cases with very large bone fragments or if the bone fragment is significantly displaced (pulled far away from the bone). Other common situations include where there is chronic instability or if ligaments have been damaged.

While surgery is more invasive, in some cases, it can be the most expeditious route to ankle injury recovery. This can be advantageous to athletes or people in jobs that demand them to be on their feet.

Find Ankle Avulsion Treatment Near You

Now that you know the basics of ankle avulsion, you will have a better understanding of how treatment works to repair the damage. A trained orthopedic surgeon can recommend the next steps forward for your recovery.

Flint Foot and Ankle Institute is Boise’s authority on ankle and foot health. We offer a range of services and pride ourselves on tailoring our treatment regimens to each patient’s unique health needs and goals. Contact us to schedule an appointment for avulsion fracture care today.