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How Long Does Ankle Fracture Take To Heal?
Question: Hello, I was told that I have a bimalleolar potts fracture with intra-articular extension of my left ankle and i will need rigid fixation with screws in surgery. My question is, what if i decide not to do the surgery, is the fracture minor enough that i can heal on my own without surgery and walk normal again or is there a strong possibility that it cannot heal correctly and i may walk with a limp and if so, how strong is that possibility on a scale of 1-10?
Brief Answer:
It will heal with cast also.
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thanks for posting your query.
If a surgery is avoided in your case and you continue with a cast for 6-8 weeks then there are chances of healing with stiffness of the ankle joint. You will have to do a regular physiotherapy to decrease the stiffness and regain the full range of movement. You will have to avoid bearing weight on the leg till then.
The limp can persist in 2-3 cases out of 10. While on cast you will need X-ray every 2-3 weeks to see that the bone fragments are not dislocated.
I hope this answers your query.
In case you have additional questions or doubts, you can forward them to me, and I shall be glad to help you out.
Wishing you good health.
Regards.
Dr. Praveen Tayal.
For future query, you can directly approach me through my profile URL http://bit.ly/Dr-Praveen-Tayal
It will heal with cast also.
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thanks for posting your query.
If a surgery is avoided in your case and you continue with a cast for 6-8 weeks then there are chances of healing with stiffness of the ankle joint. You will have to do a regular physiotherapy to decrease the stiffness and regain the full range of movement. You will have to avoid bearing weight on the leg till then.
The limp can persist in 2-3 cases out of 10. While on cast you will need X-ray every 2-3 weeks to see that the bone fragments are not dislocated.
I hope this answers your query.
In case you have additional questions or doubts, you can forward them to me, and I shall be glad to help you out.
Wishing you good health.
Regards.
Dr. Praveen Tayal.
For future query, you can directly approach me through my profile URL http://bit.ly/Dr-Praveen-Tayal
Note: For further queries, consult a joint and bone specialist, an Orthopaedic surgeon. Book a Call now.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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