Acute Ankle Fractures

Acute Ankle Fractures

When you are diagnosed with an acute ankle fracture, do you know exactly what that means? When you are diagnosed with something “acute” it simply means that it happened recently and suddenly. Acute injuries are usually associated with traumatic events i.e. from a motor vehicle accident, to a traumatic fall, or even a crash into another player in the field.

Changes your Body Undergoes Post Acute Ankle Fracture

Your body may undergo many changes after your injury. For instance, there may be immediate bruising that you may notice; this might form around torn muscles, ligaments and tendons. You can experience some sharp pain that is often severe and knife-like. Instability in that affected ankle will prevent you from putting your full weight on the affected side.

Bone Healing- Inflammatory Phase

This is the phase where there is hematoma formation that sends fibrin, blood cells and clotting factors, to the area to help stop initial bleeding and to activate the healing process. This usually last only 3-5 days.

Bone Healing- Induction Phase

The next phase is the induction phase where a “soft callus” is formed and it is slowly replaced by new bone formation. New cartilage, fibrocartilage and collaged are deposited at the fracture site. This can last for weeks to months.

Bone Healing- Remodeling Phase

The remodeling phase is the major phase that most of the bone healing occurs. At this point all the callus formation has been replaced by new bony formation. New blood supply is developing in the new bone. This can take weeks to years to complete.

If you or someone you know might be interested in discussing more about your foot or ankle health, don’t hesitate, come into our office Frederick Foot & Ankle. We would be more than happy to schedule an appointment, at any of our 3 offices in Frederick, MD or Urbana, MD.