Will a fracture of the left ankle bone leave any sequelae?
Disease description:
I have a hairline fracture in my left ankle, and I currently have a cast on, which makes moving around very inconvenient. The injured area still aches intermittently, and I don't know when it will heal. I'm very concerned about whether this hairline fracture in my left ankle might leave any long-term complications?
Doctor's answer (1)
Dr. Chen Jian
The recovery status and whether there will be any sequelae after a left ankle bone fracture mainly depend on the severity of the fracture, the timeliness of treatment, and the appropriateness of rehabilitation measures. Generally speaking, if the fracture receives timely and proper treatment, most patients can regain normal function and avoid significant sequelae.
However, if treatment is inappropriate or the rehabilitation process is inadequate, the following sequelae may occur:
1. Joint stiffness: Prolonged immobilization may reduce the range of joint motion, affecting daily activities.
2. Traumatic arthritis: Although the fractured area may heal, uneven joint surfaces can cause pain during movement and even lead to degenerative joint changes.
3. Muscle atrophy: Due to limited mobility in the early stages and insufficient rehabilitation later on, muscle atrophy may occur, affecting muscle strength and making normal activities difficult even after the fracture has healed.
4. Chronic pain: Some patients may still experience pain after healing, which may be related to nerve damage or chronic inflammation.
Therefore, patients with ankle fractures need to actively participate in physical therapy and rehabilitation training to promote recovery and reduce the occurrence of sequelae.
