
The procedure is often described as an ankle fracture open reduction internal fixation (ORIF).

The brace is usually only a temporary precaution for a few months.Ankle fracture surgery is indicated for patients who suffer a displaced unstable ankle fracture involving either the bone on the inside of the ankle (the medial malleolus), the bone on the outside of the ankle (the lateral malleolus which is also known as the fibula), or both. Once your injury has fully healed, your doctor may still recommend that you wear a light ankle brace when you’re most active, usually during sports activities.

Your doctor may remove your pins or screws once your ankle is fully recovered, especially if they cause you discomfort. Talk to your doctor about removal of pins and screws.
#Bimalleolar ankle fracture surgery full
Depending on your injury, your doctor may prescribe some physical therapy to help you regain full mobility and use of your injured ankle. It may also require you to have additional surgery. If you put weight on your ankle too soon, you can slow the healing process and increase your pain. You should not put any weight on your ankle until your doctor approves it, even when you’re in a cast or brace. Be sure to only take the medication as prescribed by your doctor, and be sure to discuss any concerns you have about your medication.Īvoid putting weight on your ankle. Be aware that many prescription pain medications can cause dependency. You can take over-the-counter or prescription pain medications provided by your doctor. Tips for aftercare during recovery include: It’s not uncommon for some people to take up to 2 years to reach a complete recovery and return all normal activities without a limp.


The surgeon may also need to perform a bone graft. The surgical procedure may include some of the following options to stabilize your ankle: The exact procedure your doctor uses depends on the severity of your injury. The goal of surgery is to stabilize your ankle and help speed the healing process. Your doctor may recommend an over-the-counter or prescription pain medication as part of your treatment plan. Nonsurgical treatment would be recommended only if surgery would pose too high of a risk to you due to other health conditions. Surgery is usually the recommended treatment. A trimalleolar fracture is an unstable type of ankle fracture.
