Ankle Fracture
Your Emergency Department doctor has Follow the ‘RICE’ guidelines to help pain and
referred you to the Virtual Fracture Clinic. swelling:
This allows fast access to a specialist opinion Rest
without having to visit the hospital in person. Spend most of your time lying down, resting.
Avoid any activity that increases pain such as
An orthopaedic doctor will review your case, long walks or standing for a long time.
then a physiotherapist will contact you by
telephone to discuss your management plan. Ice
Ice ankle for 20 minutes every 1-2 hours. Use an
Your diagnosis is ankle fracture ice pack or a bag of frozen vegetables wrapped
The bones of the in wet tea-towel. Continue this for 3 to 10 days
ankle are the fibula after your injury.
(outer side) and tibia
(inner side). Ankle Compression
fractures may be You can wear a compression bandage or
caused by trauma tubigrip (elastic stocking you can buy at the
such as a twisting pharmacy). If you experience pins and needles,
movement, a fall, or numbness, or colour changes in the toes loosen
car accident. the compression as it may be too tight.
This is a common Elevation
fracture and generally
Position your ankle above the level of your
heals very well.
heart, when sitting keep the foot elevated on
another chair.
This is usually managed in a moonboot for 6
weeks.
It is safe to put weight through your ankle
while wearing your moonboot.
Early Management: the first three
days after the injury
It is normal for your ankle and foot to become
bruised and swollen. This will settle over a few
weeks.
Last reviewed: July 2021
FACT SHEET: Virtual Fracture Clinic Review date: July 2023
Version 1
Moonboot Smoking
You may be fitted with a moonboot to protect Research shows that smoking increases the risk
your ankle while the fracture heals. of poor healing in fractures. Stopping smoking
will improve the chance of a good outcome.
Wear this boot for 6 weeks, or as advised. For further information on quitting smoking visit
You can remove the boot for showers and www.quitnow.gov.au or speak with your GP.
sleeping if comfortable.
Rehabilitation: After three days
Remove the boot and gently perform the
following exercises 4 times a day:
Walking
Point your foot up and down within a
It is safe to put full weight on your injured leg. comfortable range of movement repeat 10
(the medical term for this is ‘weight bear as times.
tolerated’).
Use crutches to help reduce your pain or assist
your balance if needed.
Using a towel or scarf gently stretch the foot
back towards you – hold for 10 seconds, repeat 5
times.
Medication
Simple medication such as paracetamol or anti-
inflammatories may help to control your pain.
Speak with your local doctor (GP) or pharmacist
about your medication options.
Keeping your leg still, turn your feet towards
each other then away from each other – repeat
10 times.
Physiotherapy Longer-term recovery and
Most patients will benefit from physiotherapy expectations
treatment following an ankle fracture. Speak Most people achieve a near normal function
with the virtual fracture clinic or local doctor after this injury. It is possible that you could
(GP) about physiotherapy options available to have mild ongoing discomfort or feeling of
you. stiffness.
Expected return to daily activities This type of fracture does not need repeat x-rays
It is important to note that different people unless you are experiencing significant pain
recover from broken bones at different rates. after six weeks.
Most ankle fractures heal in 6 to 8 weeks.
If you still have significant pain or limitation
three months after your injury despite
Driving physiotherapy and rehabilitation you may need
You can return to driving: to see an orthopaedic specialist. Discuss this
x Automatic car: with your local doctor.
If your left ankle is fractured: immediately.
When to contact the Virtual Fracture
If your right ankle is fractured: 6 weeks
after injury provided you no longer need to
Clinic
wear the boot AND the right leg has enough x If you have not heard from us within
strength to perform an emergency stop. three working days after your Emergency
Department visit.
x Manual car: 6 weeks after injury provided
you no longer need to wear the boot AND the x If your pain is so bad that medication and
right leg has enough strength to perform an RICE (rest, ice, compression and elevation)
emergency stop. do not help.
x If you notice increasing pain without a cause
Return to work after it was improving.
The amount of time you will need off work x If you notice major numbness, pins and
relates to the severity of your injury and your needles, or changes in circulation in your
work requirements. Discuss your return to work foot or ankle.
plan with your local doctor and employer. x If your symptoms are still bad after 6 weeks.
As a guide:
If you have any questions or concerns,
x Manual workers - If you need to climb please contact the Virtual Fracture Clinic:
ladders or do repetitive lifting it may take 6
to 8 weeks to return to normal duties. T: 0448 193 644
E: [email protected]
x Desk workers - you can return as soon as
your pain allows.
Return to sport
It is recommended that you see a
physiotherapist for a guided return to sport
program.
This fact sheet provides some information to assist
with management and rehabilitation of your injury.
While it contains the recommended information,
it does not contain all available information about
your injury and is not a substitute for specific advice
from the Virtual Fracture Clinic in respect of your
injury.
All treatment options have risks and benefits. This
advice is of a general nature and is appropriate for
most patients with this condition. However, it may
not apply to your specific injury and circumstances.
If you have any concerns about progress of your
rehabilitation, contact the Virtual Fracture Clinic
promptly.
Do not continue the exercises in the brochure if:
x You experience increasing pain that does not
settle quickly with rest (some discomfort is
common)
x Your condition has deteriorated in any way since
you last consulted the Virtual Fracture Clinic
x You have a new injury or condition and have not
consulted the Virtual Fracture Clinic about it.
This information is only designed for patients who
are currently being treated by the Virtual Fracture
Clinic at Townsville University Hospital. If you do not
understand the information seek clarification from
the Virtual Fracture Clinic.
Patients should be aware that the suggested
management is not guaranteed to provide any
improvement in your condition.
Keep this brochure as you may need to read it again.
Thank you to the Royal Melbourne Hospital VFC for
their assistance.
Partnering with Consumers - This patient information brochure supports National Safety and Quality Health
Service Standard 2. Consumers and/or carers provided feedback on this patient information.
© The State of Queensland (Townsville Hospital and Health Service) 2021, creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/au
