Fracture - Ankle

DOs and DON’Ts in Managing an Ankle Fracture:

• DO reduce the risk of injury by warming up and stretching before exercising.
• DO use good running shoes and run on an even surface when your health care provider says that you can resume exercising.
• DO reduce your weight, if overweight.
• DO keep fit.
• DO take pain medicines as prescribed.
• DO eat a diet with enough calcium to help healing.
• DO keep your foot raised for the first few days and apply ice to your ankle the first day or so, to minimize swelling.
• DO exercises or go to a physical therapist after cast removal to shorten recovery time and reduce the risk of developing a blood clot in the leg.
• DO call your health care provider if you notice numbness, tingling, coldness, or darkening of your toes. The cast may be too tight or the ankle may be swollen, reducing blood circulation to your foot.
• DO call your health care provider if you damage your splint or cast so that it is loose or allows your ankle to move more than it should.
• DO call your health care provider if, after surgery, you have fever or you see redness, swelling, or pus at the incision (suggesting infection).
• DO call your health care provider if you have increasing pain or cannot use your ankle at some time after surgery.
• DO call your health care provider if you notice pain or swelling in your calf or leg, which may mean a blood clot.

• DON’T spend too much time on your feet or with your foot hanging down. Don’t put heat on the ankle. Swelling may hurt circulation.
• DON’T get a plaster or fiberglass cast wet.
• DON’T stick things such as coat hangers, pencils, or knitting needles down the cast to scratch. If you poke the skin, you may get an infection.
• DON’T remove your cast too soon. Early removal may allow another injury.