Ankle Fractures

By Dr. Warren Windram D.P.M.

Recently roll your ankle or trip/fall with sudden & constant symptoms of pain and swelling to your ankle?

Many people mistake an ankle fracture with an ankle sprain (Figure 1 and 2), while they do sometimes occur simultaneously they differ and require an accurate/early diagnosis. The ankle joint consists of three bones (Fig 3) (the tibia, fibula, and talus) and the many ligaments that hold the ankle bones/joint in place. Fractures in the ankle can range from less severe avulsion injuries to more severe shattering-type breaks which includes damaged ligaments. Symptoms include pain at the fracture site, deformity of the ankle joint, significant swelling, blister formation, bruising, inability to walk, and in severe cases protrusion of the bone through the skin. After an ankle injury, it is key to have your ankle evaluated by a foot and ankle surgeon for proper diagnosis/treatment with X-rays and other imaging studies if needed. Treatment of ankle fractures can vary depending on the fracture pattern and they all initially require the RICE protocol: Rest (immobilizing the ankle joint), Ice (application of ice pack to the injured area), Compression (Elastic wrap to keep swelling down), and Elevation (the ankle joint placed above the level of the heart). Nonsurgical treatment is reserved for an injury of a relatively stable ankle with broken bones that are not out of place. Foot and ankle surgeons will immobilize the ankle joint with a short leg cast or removable boot. Surgical treatment is undergone for the more severe ankle fractures with an unstable, malaligned ankle. Surgical intervention consists of plates, screws, and in some cases rods inside the bones to allow the bone fragments to become re-aligned and heal with proper apposition while in a short leg cast/splint (Figure 4). Although most people return to their normal daily activities within 3-4 months, it may take up to one year to return to sports and competitive level activities.

Fig: 1&2 Fig: 3

▸Dr. Windram specializes in foot & ankle reconstructive/trauma surgery, with a particular interest in total ankle joint replacement surgery. He is involved with podiatric surgical training, working as the podiatric surgical residency director at

Memorial Health Care System. Dr. Windram is the current director of the Foot and Ankle Fellowship program at Westside Regional Medical Center and is a clinical instructor at Westside & Memorial

Health Care System’s podiatric surgical residency programs. South Florida Institute of Sports Medicine 209 S.W. 84th Avenue, Plantation, FL 33324

New Plantation Location

South Florida Institute of Sports Medicine

Foot, Ankle & Leg Specialists Fractures, Arthritis and More Pediatric & Sports Medicine

SAME DAY APPOINTMENTS

2021

2020

The Foot, ankle, and leg specialists at South Florida Institute of Sports Medicine (SFISM) have moved to a new location off Pine Island Road near the Westfield Broward Mall. Dr. Warren Windram and Dr. John Goodner are already seeing patients at the new, state-of-the-art location, which opened to accommodate the increasing number of patients.

SFISM provides the most comprehensive, state-of-the-art podiatric, orthopedic, and rehabilitative care for patients in Broward County. Their highly trained physicians, physical Scan Here to Schedule an Appointment

therapists, and staff provide patients with the latest medical technology and surgical procedures.

Expanded Access to Care

SFISM now offers telemedicine consultations and same-day appointments. The new space has more exam rooms, giving patients faster service and greater access to care. Families will have peace of mind knowing injured loved ones will be seen by a board-certified surgeon quickly. Dr. Windram and Dr. Goodner, along with their colleagues Dr. Carlo Messina and Dr. Michael Cohen, also have offices in Weston and Pembroke Pines.

⊲ South Florida Institute of Sports Medicine’s new location is 209

S.W. 84th Avenue, Plantation, FL 33324. They accept most health insurance plans and offer discounted rates for self-paying patients.

To make an appointment call 954-720-1530 or visit

www.SouthFloridaSportsMedicine.com.

⊲ The foot, ankle and leg specialists of South Florida Institute of

Sports Medicine are affiliated with Sports Medicine Associates:

Dr. Al DeSimone, Dr. Tony Moya, Dr. Alex Bertot, Dr. Franz Jones,

Dr. David Shenassa, and Dr. Jorge Gonzalez.