A broken ankle (ankle fracture) is a break in one or more of the bones that form the ankle joint: the lower end of the shin bone (tibia), the fibula and the talus. It can follow a twist on uneven ground, a fall, a sports injury or a road accident, and it is easy to mistake for a bad sprain.
Dr Chetan M Dojode FRCS, a Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon, assesses ankle fractures, advises whether a cast, a boot or surgery is appropriate, and sees patients for follow-up after injury or fixation at Sparsh Hospital, Yelahanka and at the Sahakar Nagar clinic.
Short answer
A broken ankle needs an X-ray and prompt assessment. NHS guidance says to go to an emergency department if the ankle is at an odd angle, a bone is sticking out, there is a bad cut, the pain is severe, or the toes look blue or white or feel numb. It also says a very minor break may need no treatment, while more serious breaks may need a boot, a cast, the bones moved back into place or surgery to fix them, and that a broken ankle usually takes 6 to 8 weeks to heal, though it can take longer. When you can put weight on the ankle depends on the type of fracture and any operation, so follow your doctor's advice.
Treatment Options
A stable break, with the bones in good position, is often treated with a plaster cast or a boot and follow-up X-rays to check healing.
When the ankle is unstable or the bones have moved, they are fixed in position, usually with plates and screws, so the joint heals in the right alignment.
Physiotherapy to restore movement, strength and balance, with return to sport guided by how the ankle functions rather than by the calendar alone.
Walking After Ankle Surgery: What the WAX Trial Found
Dr Chetan M Dojode is a collaborative author of the WAX trial, published in The Lancet in 2024. It compared walking from 2 weeks after ankle fracture surgery with waiting 6 weeks, in 561 adults at 23 UK hospitals, and found similar ankle function at 4 months. Surgeons judged that 42% of the people assessed needed the full 6 weeks and left them out, so the results may not apply to more serious fractures. Your surgeon will advise what suits your ankle.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is my ankle broken or sprained?
A sprain and a break can feel alike. NHS guidance says to get urgent medical advice if the ankle is very painful, hurts to put weight on it, is badly swollen or bruised, or is very stiff or hard to move, and an X-ray is usually done to confirm a break. Do not drive yourself to hospital.
What should I do straight after breaking my ankle?
NHS guidance is to raise the ankle, use an ice pack wrapped in a towel for 15 to 20 minutes every 2 to 3 hours, avoid moving it or putting weight on it, and take a painkiller such as paracetamol as the packet directs. Go to the nearest emergency department, and do not eat or drink in case you need surgery.
Does a broken ankle always need surgery?
No. NHS guidance says a very minor break may need no treatment, and more serious breaks may need a boot, a plaster cast, the bones moved back into place, or surgery to fix the bones. Surgery is generally considered when the ankle is unstable or the bones have moved out of position, and your surgeon decides this from your examination and X-rays.
How long does a broken ankle take to heal?
NHS guidance says a broken ankle usually takes 6 to 8 weeks to heal, but it can take longer. Your doctor will tell you how much weight you can put on the ankle and how long to wear a boot or cast, and you may be referred for physiotherapy to restore movement. Ask when you can return to contact sports or other activities that put a lot of strain on the ankle.
When can I walk after ankle fracture surgery?
It depends on the fracture and the operation, so follow your surgeon's advice. In the WAX trial, which included 561 adults at 23 UK hospitals, walking from 2 weeks after surgery gave similar ankle function at 4 months to waiting 6 weeks, but surgeons judged that 42% of the people assessed needed the full 6 weeks and were left out, so the findings may not apply to more serious fractures.
Does Dr Chetan M Dojode treat ankle fractures in Bangalore?
Dr Chetan M Dojode, a Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon, assesses ankle fractures, advises on cast, boot or surgery and on recovery, and has presented research on ankle fracture fixation. For a fresh injury, go to the nearest emergency department first; for assessment, a second opinion or follow-up, consult at Sparsh Hospital, Yelahanka or at the Sahakar Nagar clinic. Call +91 94809 09009.
Dr. Chetan M. Dojode
FRCS (Tr&Orth) UK · FEBOT
GMC Specialist Register
Clinic Locations
OSR — OrthoSportsRobotics Clinic / Aarna Clinic, Sahakar Nagar
1182/1, 20th Main Road, A Block,
Bengaluru 560092