

In most cases, this requires a special boot or a cast. A broken bone must be immobilized so that it can heal. Depending on the amount of pain and swelling you have, you may need a muscle relaxant, a sedative or a local anesthetic to numb the area before this procedure. If you have a displaced fracture, meaning the two ends of the fracture are not aligned well, your doctor may need to manipulate the pieces back into their proper positions. A physical therapist can teach you exercises to improve your flexibility, balance and strength. TherapyĪfter your bone has healed, you'll probably need to loosen up stiff muscles and ligaments in your ankles and feet. Your doctor may recommend an over-the-counter pain reliever, such as acetaminophen (Tylenol, others). Treatments for a broken ankle will vary, depending on which bone has been broken and the severity of the injury. This imaging helps to show ligaments and bones and can identify fractures not seen on X-rays. MRI uses radio waves and a strong magnetic field to create very detailed images of the ligaments that help hold your ankle together. A CT scan may help your doctor determine the best treatment for your broken ankle. CT scans can reveal more detail about the injured bone and the soft tissues that surround it. CT takes X-rays from many different angles and combines them to make cross-sectional images of internal structures of your body. Damaged areas, including stress fractures, show up as bright spots on the resulting image. The radioactive material is attracted to your bones, especially the parts of your bones that have been damaged. A technician will inject a small amount of radioactive material into a vein. A bone scan can help your doctor diagnose fractures that don't show up on X-rays. Stress fractures often don't show up on X-rays until the break actually starts healing. The technician may need to take X-rays from several different angles so that the bone images won't overlap too much. Most ankle fractures can be visualized on X-rays.

If your signs and symptoms suggest a break or fracture, your doctor may suggest one or more of the following imaging tests.
