One of the most common injuries of the lower extremities is an ankle fracture with displacement, the treatment of which involves the complete restoration of its functions and consists in its reduction. The lack of qualified surgical care for such an injury leads to prolonged pain, impaired function of the ankle joint, the development of deforming arthrosis and, ultimately, to disability.
The main cause of an ankle fracture can be a sharp turn of the foot or a strong blow to it with a blunt object. In both cases, there is a displacement of the bones relative to each other. Bleeding upon receipt of such an injury is usually significant, so the victim needs immediate medical attention.
Ankle fracture with displacement may be adductive, one-, two- and three-ankle. The first type is characterized by subluxation of the foot to the outside or inward. Injury is usually treated with pain relief. In this case, a 2% solution of novocaine is introduced into the main fracture site. Further, ankle reduction is mandatory.
An adduction ankle fracture with an inward displacement is called the Malgen fracture. The treatment of the injury also consists in repositioning the broken bone with a special method and applying a plaster cast on the lower leg of the affected person.
The initial stage of treatment for any fracture is the provision of first aid. In its absence, a broken bone can move, damaging the skin. In this case, one should not speak of a closed fracture, but of an open fracture. First aid for ankle fracture involves the anesthesia of a damaged leg. If there are no analgesics, ice or a bottle of cold water should be applied to the fracture site. Cold helps to narrow the blood vessels, reduce bleeding and swelling, and also has a slight analgesic effect. Next, you should provide the victim with peace, his leg should be completely immobilized. Doctors use special tires for this purpose. In living conditions, a piece of plywood or a board is suitable. The fixation of a broken limb is carried out as follows: a firm base is applied on both sides of the lower leg and is wound to the leg with a bandage.
Ankle fracture with displacement requires mandatory hospitalization of the victim. In a medical institution, a specialist takes an X-ray of a damaged limb and determines the type of fracture. If the displacement of the ankle is confirmed by the received image, the patient is sent to the operating room. The whole process of bone reduction is performed under general anesthesia. After the operation, the patient is in a supine position for a month. In the case of severe damage to the bone with the possibility of its repeated displacement, the so-called skeletal traction is applied, which consists in carrying a special spoke through the calcaneus and hanging a load on it (up to 12 kg). Such a procedure avoids displacement and improper bone fusion. After a month, the traction is removed, gypsum is applied.
Ankle fracture without displacement does not require surgical intervention. Gypsum is applied to a patient with a similar injury on a damaged leg. The terms of bone restoration depend entirely on the type of fracture and range from 8 to 12 weeks. Full restoration of function occurs, usually within 2-3 months.
Often an ankle fracture with a displacement is accompanied by bone fragments getting into the soft surrounding tissues. In such a case, mandatory surgical intervention is required. At the time of the operation, the damaged area is fixed using special plates or screws, then gypsum is applied to it (for a period of 1 month). After a year, a second operation is performed, the purpose of which is to remove medical instruments from the patient’s body. The final stage of treatment is the application of an elastic bandage to the injured ankle. A month after the procedure, the patient is allowed to step on his sore leg.