Dislocated Ankle

What is a dislocated ankle?

A dislocation is an injury that results in a bone being moved out of place. When this happens, the ligaments that hold the bone in place are stretched or torn. The bone can go back into the right place on its own or it may need to be put back in place by a health care provider. Often, an injury that causes a fracture also causes a dislocation.

How does it occur?

A dislocated ankle is usually caused by a twisting injury or impact.

There are two kinds of dislocations:

complete separation (luxation) of a joint
incomplete separation (subluxation) of a joint.

What are the symptoms?

Symptoms of an ankle dislocation include:

pain
deformity of the ankle
swelling
tenderness
inability to bear weight.

How is it diagnosed?

To diagnose a dislocated ankle, the doctor will review how the injury occurred and your symptoms. He or she will also examine you and order an x-ray.

How is it treated?

An ankle dislocation requires urgent treatment to avoid permanent damage to nerves and blood vessels, which can be pinched between bones.

Treatment depends on the severity of the injury. Severe injuries may require surgery to repair the joint.

After correcting the dislocation, the doctor will put a fiberglass cast, splint, or air cast on your ankle so that it will heal in its proper place. If you have surgery, the doctor may place you in a cast for about 6 weeks.

How can I take care of myself?

After the doctor has treated you, follow these guidelines:

Rest and raise the ankle above the level of your heart as much as possible.
Put an ice pack on your ankle for 20 to 30 minutes every 3 to 4 hours until the swelling is gone, unless otherwise directed by your doctor.
If necessary, use crutches or splints to avoid bearing weight on the injured area.
Reduce all activity to a pain-free level.
Take an anti-inflammatory drug such as ibuprofen or other pain reliever as recommended or prescribed by your doctor.

What can I do to help prevent a dislocated ankle?

Unfortunately, most foot sprains occur during accidents that are not preventable. However, it is important to wear proper fitting footwear and to avoid running or playing on uneven surfaces.

Disclaimer: This content is reviewed periodically and is subject to change as new health information becomes available. The information provided is intended to be informative and educational and is not a replacement for professional medical evaluation, advice, diagnosis or treatment by a healthcare professional.

HIA File BJM3175F.HTM Release 9.0/2006