Most people take mobility for granted. Running, walking, and moving about freely is a daily rite of passage. However, it's not foremost on anyone's mind. Needless to say, when an individual sustains an ankle fracture, mobility suddenly grinds to a halt. A bimalleolar or trimalleolar fracture of the ankle usually requires surgery to correct the damage. After surgery, rebuilding ankle strength is a crucial part of the recovery process. A full recovery may include both physical therapy and the use of medical devices to obtain maximum mobility. This and nothing less is what professionals recommend on OrthoArizona.org.

Surgery is Required to Perfectly Align the Bones

Surgery for a bimalleolar or trimalleolar fracture is necessary to realign any bone fragments and secure them in place with plates and screws. If there is significant ankle swelling, a surgeon may elect to let the swelling go down a bit before performing surgery. If too much swelling is present, an infection can set in. It's not uncommon for a surgeon to delay surgery for a few days or several weeks due to a swelling issue. After the surgery is over, a brace helps keep the ankle in a set position for healing. During this time, no weight is allowed on the ankle. AFO brace socks provide comfort and extra support while a brace is in place.

What Causes an Ankle Fracture?

Ankle fractures are often the result of a motor vehicle accident or a fall. They may also occur while actively participating in a strenuous sport such as football. No two ankle injuries are the same, so while one person may require surgery and the use of a brace for up to twelve weeks, another person may only need to wear a brace for a short amount of time. A lot depends on the severity of the damage and if the bones broke in multiple locations.

What is a Bimalleolar Fracture?

An ankle with a bimalleolar fracture has a fracture affecting both sides of the ankle: the medial malleolus on the inner side and the lateral malleolus on the outer side. Since both sides of the ankle are affected, an ankle with this type of fracture remains unstable and unable to bear weight. If left untreated, a bimalleolar fracture can lead to arthritis and restricted mobility. Surgery is required to secure the bones in their proper place.

What is a Trimalleolar Fracture?

A trimalleolar fracture also involves the medial malleolus and the lateral malleolus. However, it affects the posterior malleolus of the tibia, too. The tibia is the larger of the two bones between the knee and the ankle. When a trimalleolar fracture has occurred, dislocation and ligament damage may also be present. Since this type of fracture involves three areas, the bones may take up to twelve weeks or longer to knit together.

A Return to Normal Life is Possible

Ankle fractures can affect everyday living by impeding a person's ability to move freely. Depending on the type of fracture an individual is dealing with, surgery may be necessary to stabilize the bones. When the healing process has finished, life can move forward with some limitations. Swelling may occur from time-to-time and arthritis may set in.

The long-term outlook for an individual recovering from a fractured ankle is promising. Normal activities can resume once the ankle has fully healed. However, the strength of the afflicted ankle may never totally return to its before-injury status.