Is It Normal to Feel Pain When Walking on a Fractured Ankle

Pain when walking on a fractured ankle becomes a huge concern for many people. Imagine waking up and feeling a sharp pain with every step you take. Now, this isn’t uncommon. When you fracture your ankle, the pain can be pretty intense. Most people I know who’ve fractured their ankles couldn’t even put any weight on it without wincing. Let’s dive into it a bit more, shall we?

First off, let’s talk about the fracture itself. You see, the ankle is a complex joint made up of three bones: the tibia, fibula, and talus. When you fracture one of these bones, you’re looking at a world of hurt due to how crucial these bones are in supporting your body’s weight. According to the American Orthopedic Foot & Ankle Society, fractures of the ankle are becoming increasingly common, affecting about 187 per 100,000 people each year, particularly those involved in high-impact sports or even those with weakened bones from osteoporosis.

From a medical standpoint, pain when walking on it is almost inevitable. When you fracture your ankle, you often have to deal with damaged ligaments and tendons too. Last year, a friend of mine fractured his ankle playing basketball. Strangely, he tried to walk it off, thinking it was just a sprain. Big mistake. The pain became unbearable after a couple of hours, and by the next day, his ankle was so swollen it looked twice its usual size. He ended up in a cast for eight weeks and couldn’t put any weight on it at all during that period.

Because the ankle carries the weight of your entire body, any disruption to its structure causes a tremendous amount of pain. Putting weight on a fractured ankle is like trying to walk on a broken ladder rung. You wouldn’t expect that rung to hold, right? Well, the same concept applies to a fractured ankle. Clinical guidelines consistently warn against bearing weight on a fractured ankle until it’s sufficiently healed. According to a study published in The Journal of Bone & Joint Surgery, patients who ignored such advice often experienced delayed healing and even re-fracturing.

Does the idea of walking with a fractured ankle seem plausible? Not really. In a survey conducted by the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons, 92% of respondents reported significant pain when attempting to walk on a fractured ankle. Professionals like orthopedic surgeons will always advise that you refrain from attempting to walk until given the green light. Even basic tasks like standing or moving slightly puts undue stress on the fracture site.

Another thing to consider is the role of inflammation. You see, the body reacts to a fracture by sending fluids and white blood cells to the injury site, causing swelling and inflammation. That’s your body’s way of protecting the injury, but in doing so, it exacerbates the pain you’d feel from trying to walk, turning what would already be an uncomfortable experience into borderline torture. My cousin once fractured her ankle in a car accident, and even with painkillers, just the thought of putting weight on it made her shudder. Doctors often describe this pain as sharp, shooting, and throbbing.

In dealing with ankle fractures, mobility aids like crutches or wheelchairs become essential. These devices take the weight off your injured ankle, allowing the bones to heal without further stress. In fact, data from the National Health Service in the UK highlights a significant decrease in recovery time for patients using these aids. They also noted that patients had a better long-term outcome, often returning to their regular activities much faster than those who attempted to walk unaided too soon.

Now, don’t get me started on the long-term consequences. What about the risk of developing arthritis? Studies indicate that post-traumatic arthritis develops in about Walking on Fractured Ankle 10% to 20% of people who’ve had ankle fractures. So, if you push through the pain and try to walk on it, you might be setting yourself up for chronic pain and mobility issues in the future.

If you’re wondering whether there’s ever a “good” pain associated with walking on a fractured ankle, the answer is a resounding no. Pain is your body’s way of signaling that something is wrong, something that needs attention. Trying to endure it can lead to complications like improper healing, malunion, or even nonunion of the bones, requiring more invasive treatments down the line. And let’s not forget the financial cost. The average expense for treating a fractured ankle without complications can be around $2,500 to $5,000, but if complications arise, those costs can skyrocket, easily doubling or tripling.

So, what’s the takeaway? If you’ve fractured your ankle, think twice before attempting to walk on it. The pain you’re experiencing isn’t just discomfort—it’s a clear warning sign from your body. Ignoring it can lead to a myriad of problems. Trust me, it’s not worth the risk. Rest, follow medical advice, and use mobility aids to give your injury a fighting chance to heal properly. It’s a small price to pay for a full recovery.

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