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People often think that a fracture is more minor than a break, but it still means your bone is broken. So if you’ve been diagnosed with an ankle fracture, you probably want to know what to expect. Are you looking at a cast? How long will you need to be off your feet?
Not only can William T. DeCarbo, DPM, FACFAS, answer all of your questions, but he can also tailor an ankle fracture treatment plan for you. If you’re dealing with ankle pain and you want to know the cause — or you know it’s fractured and need treatment — come visit us at Greater Pittsburgh Foot & Ankle Center in Wexford, Pennsylvania.
Developing your treatment plan
Learning what life looks like after your ankle fracture first means finding out the type of fracture you have. To do that, Dr. DeCarbo talks with you about when the pain started, where you feel it, and what it feels like.
He also examines your ankle. In many cases, he orders an X-ray to get a clear picture of the current state of the bones in the affected foot and ankle.
Using all of that information, he personalizes a treatment plan for you. He works to minimize the invasiveness and inconvenience of your ankle fracture recovery plan, opting for conservative treatment methods whenever possible. That includes:
- Casting or splinting
- Physical therapy
- Anti-inflammatory medication
By immobilizing your ankle, Dr. DeCarbo helps it heal in the proper alignment. We can also get you set up with the right mobility device (e.g., crutches, a walker, a wheelchair) so you can get around while your ankle is in the cast, splint, or boot.
All of this assumes that immobilization paired with other care will be enough to allow your fracture to properly heal. If you have a serious fracture, though, you may need surgery to help the bones in your ankle heal the way they should.
Your recovery timeline
All of this probably has you asking one big question: How long will I have to be in my cast, splint, or boot? It depends, of course. If you need surgery, your recovery timeline will extend longer than someone who can head straight into their healing process.
That said, most ankle fractures heal in about 6-8 weeks. The sooner you see Dr. DeCarbo to start your treatment, the sooner you can start that timeline.
If you’re dealing with ankle pain — and especially if you can’t put weight on that ankle — don’t wait to visit Dr. DeCarbo. To start your ankle healing process, call our office or book your appointment online today.