How long will it take to heal ankle injury?

Question

Hi doctor,

I injured my ankle while playing basketball. I have a swollen ankle on the left side and slightly less minor swelling on the right side of my ankle. I have a splint and taking calcium medicine along with other medicine and painkiller to reduce swelling. X-ray initially suggested a minor hairline crack on the edge of the medial malleolus. However, a second opinion doctor said since there is not much swelling; it is less likely to be a fracture. Can you advise on the degree of injury? How long will it take to heal?

Answer 1

Hi,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

Yes, you have a small medial malleolus avulsion fracture (attachment removed to protect patient identity). It is a very small fragment and you do not need to worry about it. Your major injury is on the lateral side, which is the lateral collateral ligament of the ankle and it is sprained. So, you need to put an ankle stirrup for six weeks. Use a crepe bandage of 6 inches with the ankle stirrup from toes to mid leg and this will help reduce the swelling. Continue anti-inflammatory medicines for a total of 15 days. You can walk normally with the stirrup. It will take six to eight weeks in total for it to heal and that is ligament healing. Repeat an X-ray of the ankle joint - anteroposterior and lateral mortise views after six weeks and follow up with the report.

Thank you.