Where is lateral malleolus

Measure ad performance. Select basic ads. Create a personalised ads profile. Select personalised ads. Apply market research to generate audience insights. Measure content performance. Develop and improve products. List of Partners vendors. The most common type of ankle fracture are of the lateral malleolus. These injuries typically occur when the ankle is either twisted or rolled.

This usually happens after a person takes an awkward or uneven step. Most lateral malleolus fractures are stable ankle fractures. Surgery is usually not needed. The lateral malleolus is the bone on the outside of the ankle joint. This bone is part of the fibula , one of two bones of the lower leg. The other leg bone is the tibia shin bone. This article reviews symptoms or a lateral malleolous fracture to pay attention to, and ways to treat it. Lateral malleolus fractures cause pain, swelling, and bruising around the ankle.

Pain in other areas of the foot and ankle should be a reason to suspect a more serious ankle injury than an isolated lateral malleolus fracture. Pain and swelling on the inner side of the ankle along with a lateral malleolus fracture may indicate the possibility of an injury called bimalleolar equivalent fracture even without a second fracture.

This is a specific type of unstable ankle fracture that may require surgery. Anyone with a lateral malleolus fracture should be examined for signs of a more serious, unstable ankle fracture. An unstable ankle fracture is an injury that occurs when the fracture causes the ankle joint to not work properly. Therefore, if the bone heals in a position where the ankle is not functioning properly, the ankle is likely to develop early ankle arthritis.

Treatment of a stable lateral malleolus fracture should consist of efforts to reduce swelling followed by a gradual progression in weight-bearing. When progressing weight-bearing, many studies have been done to assess how much protection of the ankle is best. Some healthcare providers use walking casts, walking boots, air casts, ankle braces, or even high top shoes hiking boots. Studies show no difference when comparing different types of ankle support.

Talk with your healthcare provider about the best option to give you support and comfort for your ankle injury. You likely won't need surgery for stable lateral malleolus fractures. That's because non-surgical treatment is just as effective at treating the broken bone.

In general, it takes at least 6 weeks for the broken malleolus to heal. A lateral malleolus fracture usually requires the person to keep weight off the affected foot for a few weeks. In most cases, people return to normal daily activities within 3 to 4 months. Stretching and strengthening exercises supervised by a doctor or physical therapist can help improve ankle function and mobility during the healing process.

Note: All information is for educational purposes only. For specific medical advice, diagnoses, and treatment, consult your doctor. Search KidsHealth library. X-ray showing side view of a displaced fibula fracture with a posterior malleolar fracture. Treatment is based on the alignment of the bones and the stability of the ankle joint. The goal is to have the bones heal as closely to perfect as possible so as to prevent any residual instability or malalignment of the bone.

A malalignment of as little as two millimeters in the ankle joint can lead to arthritis. It is much easier to fix a fracture than to treat arthritis in the future. Certain mild ankle breaks stable and with no displacement can be treated nonsurgically with a splint, short leg cast, or other protective device such as a walking boot Some patients may be able to walk immediately while wearing a support while others may have to use crutches to limit weightbearing.

For more serious fractures in which bones or bone fragments are misaligned, surgical intervention is necessary to prevent improper healing malunion that would impede proper movement in the ankle and possibly lead to other complications.

X-ray showing front view of surgical plates and screws to treat a trimalleolar fracture. X-ray showing side view of the same. X-ray showing front view of fixation of the fibula and posterior malleolus with restoration of the joint congruity.

It takes about six weeks for bones to heal. It may take longer for ligaments or other soft tissues to heal as well. After surgery, patients are typically not weightbearing for 4 to 6 weeks until the bone heals. Patients are placed on a pain management protocol that minimizes their need for opioid medications.

After 10 to 14 days, the sutures are removed and patients are typically placed into a removable boot. This allows patients to start moving the ankle and to shower. At the six-week visit, X-rays are obtained. Assuming the bone is healed well, patients are then allowed to start weightbearing and to begin physical therapy. Patients will generally have six weeks of therapy or more if required. Read the below articles for discussions on pediatric ankle fractures and stress fractures. Ankle Fractures Broken Ankle.

Ankle fracture articles for patients Read the below articles for discussions on pediatric ankle fractures and stress fractures. Back in the Game patient stories. Blog posts. In the news. In-person and virtual physician appointments.