Broken ankle in children: Overview
An ankle may break (fracture) during sports, a fall, or other accidents. Fractures can range from a small, hairline crack, to a bone or bones broken into two or more pieces. Your child's treatment depends on how bad the break is.
Your doctor may have put your child's ankle in a splint or cast to allow it to heal or to keep it stable until you can see another doctor. It may take weeks or months for your child's ankle to heal. You can help your child's ankle heal with some care at home.
Healthy habits can help your child heal. Give your child a variety of healthy foods. And don't smoke around your child.
Your child may have had a sedative to help them relax. Your child may be unsteady after having sedation. It takes time (sometimes a few hours) for the medicine's effects to wear off. Common side effects of sedation include nausea, vomiting, and feeling sleepy or cranky.
The doctor has checked your child carefully, but problems can develop later. If you notice any problems or new symptoms, get medical treatment right away.
How can you care for yourself when you have a broken ankle?
- If the doctor gave you a sedative:
- For 24 hours, don't do anything that requires attention to detail, such as going to work, making important decisions, or signing any legal documents. It takes time for the medicine's effects to completely wear off.
- For your safety, do not drive or operate any machinery that could be dangerous. Wait until the medicine wears off and you can think clearly and react easily.
- Put ice or a cold pack on your ankle for 10 to 20 minutes at a time. Try to do this every 1 to 2 hours for the next 3 days (when you are awake). Put a thin cloth between the ice and your cast or splint. Keep your cast or splint dry.
- Follow the cast care instructions your doctor gives you. If you have a splint, do not take it off unless your doctor tells you to.
- Be safe with medicines. Take pain medicines exactly as directed.
- If the doctor gave you a prescription medicine for pain, take it as prescribed.
- If you are not taking a prescription pain medicine, ask your doctor if you can take an over-the-counter medicine.
- Prop up your leg on pillows in the first few days after the injury. Keep the ankle higher than the level of your heart. This will help reduce swelling.
- Do not put weight on your ankle unless your doctor tells you to. Use crutches, a walker, or a knee scooter to get around.
- Follow instructions for exercises to keep your leg strong.
- Wiggle your toes often to reduce swelling and stiffness.
Broken ankle in children: When to call
Call 911 anytime you think your child may need emergency care. For example, call if:
- Your child has chest pain, is short of breath, or coughs up blood.
- Your child is very sleepy and is hard to wake up.
Call your doctor now or seek immediate medical care if:
- Your child has new or worse nausea or vomiting.
- Your child has new or worse pain.
- Your child's foot is cool or pale or changes color.
- Your child has tingling, weakness, or numbness in the toes.
- Your child's cast or splint feels too tight.
- Your child has signs of a blood clot in the leg (called a deep vein thrombosis), such as:
- Pain in the calf, back of the knee, thigh, or groin.
- Redness or swelling in the leg.
Watch closely for changes in your child's health, and be sure to contact your doctor if:
- Your child has a problem with their splint or cast.
- Your child does not get better as expected.
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