When is the ideal time to do surgery of a broken outer ankle bone?

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

I can understand your concern.

I have seen both of your X-rays. The first one shows clear-cut subluxation of the ankle joint with fracture. The second one shows a good reduction. Now there are two points:

1. Since there is subluxation, it goes without saying that the ligaments are torn.
2. The reduction is good but, I do not know if it is stable or not. This can only be assessed during reduction. Therefore, the doctor who has reduced might be the best to comment on the stability. If it is unstable, then it has to be operated without any doubt.

In my opinion, you can keep the cast for six to eight weeks, remove it, and then check for stability. You may require ligament reconstruction later on.

I hope this helps.

Do revert in case of any further queries.

Thank you.

Hi,

Welcome back to icliniq.com.

The actual condition of the ligament can only be assessed with the help of an MRI (magnetic resonance imaging). However, in such cases, the ligaments to get torn are the deltoid and talofibular ligaments. If your ankle is unstable, then early surgery has a better prognosis.

I hope this helps.

Thank you.

Hello,

Welcome back to icliniq.com.

Glad to have you back.

As I have suggested to you earlier, you should continue with the cast. In my practice, I have seen patients not requiring surgery later on as sometimes ligaments heal with time. You should decide to get an MRI if there are signs of instability after eight weeks of having the cast.

Thank you.

Hello,

Welcome back to icliniq.com.

I think active plantar flexion and dorsiflexion are the only exercises that you can do after removing the cast. You will have a lot of stiffness after cast removal. Right now, there is no exercise as you need strict immobilization of the ankle.

I wish you good health.

Do revert in case of any further queries.

Thank you.