if someone broke their ankle what is the first aid treatment

• Ice and Elevation. Swelling is almost universally seen following a broken ankle. An important part of treatment of an ankle fracture is to minimize swelling. ...
• Immobilization. Immobilization of an ankle fracture is commonly performed in the emergency room. ...
• Crutches. Crutches are important because almost all types of ankle fractures will require some level of rest or limited weightbearing following the injury.
• Ankle Fracture Surgery. Determining if a broken ankle requires surgery depends on multiple factors that should be discussed with your surgeon.

Full Answer

What to do when you have a broken ankle?

Remove ankle bracelets or toe rings. If medical attention is not immediately available, apply RICE therapy: Rest ankle by having the person stay off of it. Use crutches if necessary.

When should you call an ambulance for a broken ankle?

Jun 30, 2021 · First aid can go a long way toward reducing pain and starting the treatment process. Learn to recognize a broken ankle to decide how to treat it. 1. pain (almost always present) swelling. bruising. deformity (ankle appears misshapen) tender to touch. patient is unable to bear weight on the ankle.

What is the first aid for a broken leg?

Feb 15, 2022 · Get a cast put on your ankle if it's broken. A cast is a cement boot that immobilizes your foot and allows the broken ends of the bone in your ankle to unite naturally. The doctor will apply the cast, and then they'll need to remove it after your …

What is the first aid treatment for a broken ankle?

What First Aid Would you provide someone with a fracture?

What comes in a first aid kit?

What is the first aid for external bleeding?

What should I do if I think you may have broken my ankle?

Immediately rest, elevate, and ice your ankle. That's super important, because you don't want to make the injury worse. Then, you can put a wrap or...

Should I go to the ER if I think I broke my ankle?

You don't necessarily need to go the ER, but you can if that's literally your only option. It's actually better to see a foot specialist. If you go...

I sprained my ankle badly and it really hurts. What do I do?

With a large amount of pain, the ankle should be seen by a physician. You need an exam and X-ray to assess the ankle for a fracture. This is most e...

What first aid should I do if I think I broke my ankle?

Put an ace wrap or splint on your ankle to protect it, and rest, elevate, and ice your ankle until you can be seen by a foot specialist.

What is the best way to treat a broken ankle?

A CT scan may help your doctor determine the best treatment for your broken ankle. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). MRI uses radio waves and a strong magnetic field to create very detailed images of the ligaments that help hold your ankle together. This imaging helps to show ligaments and bones and can identify fractures not seen on X-rays.

Where to get treatment for broken ankle?

You will likely initially seek treatment for a broken ankle in an emergency room or urgent care clinic. If the pieces of broken bone aren't lined up properly for healing, you may be referred to a doctor specializing in orthopedic surgery.

What to do if you have a displaced fracture?

Reduction . 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. This process is called reduction. 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.

How to reduce swelling in ankle?

Apply ice for 15 to 20 minutes at a time, every three to four hours to bring down the swelling. Keep your ankle elevated. Don't put any weight on your injured ankle. Lightly wrap the injury in a soft bandage that provides slight compression. By Mayo Clinic Staff.

What is the best way to diagnose fractures?

Bone scan. A bone scan can help your doctor diagnose fractures that don't show up on X-rays. A technician will inject a small amount of radioactive material into a vein. The radioactive material is attracted to your bones, especially the parts of your bones that have been damaged.

What to do after bone healing?

After your bone has healed, you'll probably need to loosen up stiff muscles and ligaments in your ankles and feet. A physical therapist can teach you exercises to improve your flexibility, balance and strength.

What to do if you break a bone?

A broken bone must be immobilized so that it can heal. In most cases, this requires a special boot or a cast. Surgery. In some cases, an orthopedic surgeon may need to use pins, plates or screws to maintain proper position of your bones during healing.

How to tell if your ankle is broken?

Broken Ankle Symptoms and Treatment 1 pain (almost always present) 2 swelling 3 bruising 4 deformity (ankle appears misshapen) 5 numbness or tingling 6 broken skin with bone visible 7 limited mobility of the ankle 8 patient is unable to bear weight on the ankle

How to treat a broken skin?

Cover any broken skin with sterile dressings. If needed, the wound can be rinsed — try to use sterile water or saline solution. Open wounds may require stitches. If an ambulance is responding, have the patient remain still and wait for the ambulance. Proceed to step 10 (ice on the break).

What to do if your ankle is broken?

If the ankle is broken, the doctor will likely put a cast on it. For a sprain or strain, they may give you a splint or bandage to wear until it's healed. In rare cases, severe injuries may require surgery. Your doctor may prescribe painkillers for the days after your injury.

How to protect ankle from injury?

Protect ankle from further injury by using a splint. The most basic splint is a sturdy flat object, like a ruler, that you can press up against your broken bone. You can keep it in place with gauze or medical tape; this helps to keep the broken bone from moving. To learn how to properly splint an ankle, click here .

How long does it take for a broken ankle to heal?

Research suggests that broken ankles usually heal in about 6 to 8 weeks, but it could take longer if your injury is severe.

How to know if your ankle is broken?

Notice if you feel pain in and around your ankle. A fractured bone causes immediate, intense pain and swelling. A stress fracture may cause pain that increases over time. The pain should lessen when you rest the ankle, but it won't go away. [3]#N#X Trustworthy Source Mayo Clinic Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals Go to source#N#If your ankle is broken, then it likely won't be able to bear weight at all.#N#If your ankle is tender around the outside or back of your ankle, then you should have it evaluated by a doctor.

How to tell if your ankle is sprained?

This is a good way to tell if your ankle is fractured or just sprained. If your bone is fractured, moving it is nearly impossible, while you will still be able to move it if it is sprained. Pain, swelling, and the inflammatory cells causing your ankle to swell contribute to this loss of function.

What happens if you fracture your ankle?

If you have fractured your ankle, your body will try to protect the injured ankle from further damage by sending a lot of inflammatory (“healing”) cells to the affected area. The inflammatory cells carry repair kits to mend the injury. Unfortunately, these cells also cause swelling and discomfort.

How to help a swollen ankle?

Apply ice to your ankle to relieve pain and swelling. Use an ice pack, bag of ice, or even a bag of frozen veggies to cool down your injured ankle. Ice decreases the flow of blood to your ankle, thus reducing swelling. The cold also masks the pain you feel. Ice your ankle for 15 to 20 minutes every hour.

What is the procedure to fix a broken ankle?

This will keep the bone in place as it heals. The procedure is called open reduction and internal fixation.

Can you walk after a broken ankle?

A broken ankle may be more painful. Right after the injury, you may or may not be able to walk or place weight on the ankle. It depends on the type and cause of the fracture (motor vehicle accident versus a fall, for example). You may or may not have severe bruising and swelling.

What are the bones of the ankle?

The ankle joint is made up of the following bones: 1 The tibia is the larger bone in your lower leg. It’s also called the shinbone. 2 Also called the calf bone, the fibula is the smaller bone in your lower leg. 3 The talus is the small bone between the heel bone (the calcaneus), and the tibia and fibula.

How to heal a swollen ankle?

Meanwhile, here’s what you can do to take care of yourself: 1 Keep weight off your foot. Elevate your ankle and prop it up on cushions. 2 Apply ice. This will minimize pain and swelling. 3 Apply pressure. If you’re bleeding, wrap the wound with a clean dressing.

How to diagnose ankle injury?

To diagnose your injury, your doctor will do different tests. This might include: 1 Physical exam. The doctor will examine your ankle for swelling and tenderness. If there is tenderness over a ligament, the injury is most likely a sprain. If tenderness is over the bone, it’s most likely a fracture. They might also move your foot around to determine your range of motion. 2 X-ray. An X-ray lets a doctor see the location, type, and severity of the break. 3 Stress test. A stress test determines if a sprained ankle needs surgery. A doctor will place pressure on the ankle and take an X-ray. If the joint opens up, this indicates a Grade III tear that would need to be repaired. 4 CT scan. A CT scan provides more detailed images by taking multiple cross-sectional pictures of the ankle. 5 MRI scan. An MRI scan uses a magnetic field and radio waves to show the bones and surrounding tissue. It can help the doctor find fractures that don’t show up on X-rays. It can also see tears in the ligaments.

What is the bone in the ankle called?

The ankle joint is made up of the following bones: The tibia is the larger bone in your lower leg. It’s also called the shinbone. Also called the calf bone, the fibula is the smaller bone in your lower leg. The talus is the small bone between the heel bone (the calcaneus), and the tibia and fibula. A broken ankle is very painful.

What happens if you sprain your ankle?

If your ankle is sprained, you’ll have pain and swelling. The degree of pain and swelling will be determined by the type of sprain: a Grade I sprain will have little swelling, but a Grade III may have significant swelling. You may or may not be able to put weight on your ankle just after the injury.

How to stop swelling in ankle?

Use a compression support or compression bandage on your ankle. This helps reduce swelling and offers support. Pressure from a compression bandage or ankle support helps stop any bleeding within the joint and reduces swelling, which helps tissue fluids to dissipate.

How long should I wait to apply P.R.I.C.E. to my ankle?

principles (protection, rest, ice, compression & elevation) as soon as possible after injury. This should be applied at home for at least the first 2 – 3 days.

How to recover from an injury?

Rest. Refrain from exercise and try to reduce the demands of your daily activity to encourage recovery . It not only refers to the time you will be out of action but also to the immediate period after your injury. An athlete must know when to stop training and allow the injured area to heal.

How to treat a broken ankle?

Ice and Elevation. Swelling is almost universally seen following a broken ankle. An important part of treatment of an ankle fracture is to minimize swelling . 1  Limiting swelling will help control the pain from the ankle fracture and minimize pressure on the surrounding tissues.

How long can you put weight on a broken ankle?

Sometimes, patients will not be able to place any weight on the ankle for several months, other times within days to weeks. 1  Determining when you can place weight on the broken ankle depends on the type of ankle fracture; this will have to be discussed with your doctor.

What are the risks of ankle fractures?

Of particular concern with ankle fractures are people who may be at high risk for infection and healing complications. 3  These include people who smoke, have diabetes, or have peripheral vascular disease (circulation problems).

What is an open fracture?

Open fractures: There are some types of injuries that require surgery, one particular case is an open fracture. This is when the skin overlying the broken bones is disrupted, and the fracture is exposed to outside the body.

How to recover from a broken ankle?

Broken Ankle Recovery Tips. During your recovery, remember to rest and elevate your ankle whenever possible. Gently move your toes and bend your knee regularly to prevent your muscles from getting stiff. As tempting as it is, try not to put anything down your cast to scratch an itch.

Can you walk on a broken ankle?

Walking on a broken ankle can make the injury worse so if in doubt, get it checked out. Our guide covers the main causes and symptoms of a broken ankle, treatment options and recovery tips, and when to start walking after a broken ankle. It also answers some of the most commonly asked questions about this injury.

What is a broken ankle?

A broken ankle, also known as an ankle fracture, is one of the most common lower leg injuries. It can be very painful and needs to be seen by a medical professional as soon as possible because it may need treatment to heal properly. Walking on a broken ankle can make the injury worse so if in doubt, get it checked out.

Which bone is the thickest?

The tibia and fibula are the two long bones that run from your knee down to your ankle. The tibia, also known as the shinbone, is the weight-bearing bone and is the thicker and larger of the two. The fibula, or calf-bone, runs parallel and helps to stabilize the tibia.

What is the most common fracture of the ankle?

Any one of these bones can break. However, the most common ankle fracture is known as lateral malleolus, which occurs in the fibula, just above the ankle joint. This accounts for around 55% of all ankle fractures (2). Any one of these bones can break.

How to tell if your ankle is broken?

The most common symptom of a broken ankle is pain, which is usually immediate and intense. The pain may radiate up and down your leg and even down into your foot. Other symptoms of an ankle fracture or break are: Swelling at the ankle joint. Bruising, redness, or discoloration of any part of your lower leg.

How to treat a broken leg?

If your skin isn’t broken, you could try wrapping it with a compression bandage or kitchen towel and applying an ice pack or bag of frozen peas for 15-20 minutes every couple of hours , however, it’s essential that you do not wrap it too tight, as this can cause further complications. Remember not to apply ice directly to your bare skin, and do not apply ice if the skin is broken.

What to do if you have a broken ankle?

Here are five things you can do for a friend or family member who is dealing with a broken ankle: 1. Driving – Depending on the severity of the injury and if surgery is necessary, a person with a broken right ankle may not be able to drive for a short while.

What to do if you have an ankle injury?

2. Meal Planning – Even if they aren’t confined to bed rest after their ankle injury, odds are they aren’t going to want to stand for long periods in order to cook a healthy meal while they are recovering.

Why are feet important?

Your feet are essential in helping you get from one place to another, so it’s easy to see how activities can be hindered if you suffer a severe injury to your feet and ankles.

Who is Lance Silverman?

Dr. Lance Silverman is a board certified orthopaedic surgeon, with specialty training in the management of conditions of the ankle and foot. Treating Minnesotans with Ankle & Foot problems since 2004. Read More…

How to treat a broken leg?

First Aid Steps for a Broken Leg 1 Bring the uninjured leg to the side of the injured one. 2 Slide bandages under both legs at the ankles and knees, and above and below the suspected fracture site. 3 Place padding between the lower legs for comfort. 4 Roll bandage in a figure of eight around the feet and ankles. 5 Tie the bandages with the knots on the uninjured side, but stop if this causes pain.

What are the symptoms of a knee injury?

Signs and symptoms of serious leg injury include pain, bruising, deformity, difficulty walking or inability to walk, and swelling, especially at the knee. The knee joint is quite complicated and may be damaged by direct force or violent twisting movements.

Which bone is the strongest?

The femur or thighbone is the strongest bone in the body and it takes considerable force to fracture it along its length (although a fracture of the neck of the femur within the hip joint is quite common and discussed in a separate first aid blog post).

What are the bones in the lower leg?

There are two bones in the lower leg, the tibia and the fibula. The tibia is most often broken by a heavy blow, sometimes producing an open wound. The fibula is thinner and can be broken by the kind of twisting that may cause a sprained ankle.

What causes a knee joint to be damaged?

The knee joint is quite complicated and may be damaged by direct force or violent twisting movements. Injuries from sporting incidents, falls and other accidents are common. There may be a sprain, damage to the knee cartilage or a fracture of the kneecap (patella).

What causes a knee to lock?

There may be a sprain, damage to the knee cartilage or a fracture of the kneecap (patella). A serious knee injury will cause locking of joint, extreme pain on attempting to straighten it, and difficulty in bending the joint.

Who is John Furst?

JOHN FURST is an experienced emergency medical technician and qualified first aid and CPR instructor. John is passionate about first aid and believes everyone should have the skills and confidence to take action in an emergency situation.