A broken ankle is rarely a dangerous emergency, but it can be quite painful. Proper first aid can help in reducing the discomfort. Remember that not all ankle injuries are fractures, but only an X-ray can determine the type of damage.
What are the signs?
The usual indications of a broken ankle strikingly resemble a sprained ankle. An individual with a broken ankle might experience the following:
- Ankle pain
- Swelling and evident bruising
- Deformity or misshapen appearance
- Tingling or numbness
- Reduced ankle mobility
- Inability to bear weight on the ankle
The usual indications of a broken ankle strikingly resemble a sprained ankle.
Management of a broken ankle
If an individual is suspected with a broken ankle, there are measures that must be followed.
- Check if the individual has a patent airway, breathing and the circulation is not disrupted.
- If bleeding is present, control the blood flow by placing direct pressure on the site.
- Assess for other injuries. If there are signs of injury to the head, neck or back, do not attempt to move the individual.
- Any damaged skin must be covered with sterile dressing. If necessary, the wound must be rinsed using sterile water or saline solution.
- When splinting a broken ankle, utilize a pillow as a splint. Make sure that the foot and shin region is immobilized. Any movement can result to pressure on the ankle. Make sure that the ankle is not wrapped too tightly.
- Apply an ice pack on the site of the break to lessen the swelling. Leave the pack in place for 15 minutes.
Disclaimer / More Information
The information posted on this page on a broken ankle is for learning and educational purposes only. To learn to how the injury is treated, register for first aid training at one of our training centers located throughout Canada. The training centers are in Edmonton, Calgary, Vancouver, Kelowna, Saskatoon, Victoria, Surrey, Mississauga, Winnipeg, Red Deer, Toronto, Ottawa and Halifax.