If you’re dealing with some moderate to severe discomfort in your ankle despite not suffering acute trauma to the area, you may be dealing with the onset of a hairline fracture. Most people assume that a fracture only develops as a result of high-energy trauma, like from a car accident, a hard fall or from contact during athletics, but that’s not always the case. Sometimes fractures, particularly hairline fractures, develop out of repetitive stress that eventually overloads the bone.
When this happens, a small, partial crack in the bone can develop. Treated with care, and the bone can repair itself over the course of a few weeks. Ignored, and the fracture and grow, causing more discomfort and leaving you sidelined for longer. Below, we take a closer look at how you’ll want to manage a hairline fracture in your ankle.
Treating A Hairline Fracture
Before we dive into treatment, let’s further explain how these fractures develop. At their core, they are the result of repetitive stress on the ankle. We all put a fair amount of strain on our feet each day, but if you have a very strenuous stretch, or you’re an athlete or exercise enthusiast who runs for sport or leisure, you may be at a heightened risk for hairline fractures. You need to gradually increase the stress you put on your feet so that they can acclimate to stress and recover from the strain. It’s the same reason you don’t want to try to train for a marathon in a month, because trying to do too much in too short a period of time can overload the bone and lead to the onset of hairline fractures.
Because of their onset, many people may mistake their symptoms for a different type of ankle injury. If you’ve recently put a lot of stress on your feet and are experiencing some of the following symptoms, you may be dealing with a hairline fracture:
- Moderate to severe pain
- Swelling
- Tenderness
- Instability
- Weakness
- Difficulty bearing weight or walking normally
- Symptoms that worsen with activity
If you believe you may be dealing with a hairline fracture in your ankle, you can confirm your suspicions by connecting with your primary care provider or an orthopaedic specialist for an exam and x-ray. However, since non-operative care is usually the recommendation for a hairline fracture, you can opt to try and manage the injury on your own. Here’s what is typically recommended for the conservative management of hairline ankle fractures:
Rest – Rest the area and do what you can to limit stress on the ankle when you have to move. Avoid high-impact activities like running or athletics.
Ice – Icing can help to limit swelling, which can end up speeding up the recovery process by ensuring healthy blood can still flow in and out of the area.
Compression – Gentle compression can open blood vessels and boost circulation to the injured area. An ankle wrap and compression stockings can help with healthy blood flow.
Elevation – Elevating the area draws fluid back towards the heart, limiting swelling and inflammation in the ankle.
Brace/Boot – Some people further protect the area from stress by wearing a protective brace or a walking boot for a couple of weeks.
Anti-Inflammatories – Anti-inflammatory medications and over-the-counter pain relievers can alleviate some of the discomfort you’re experiencing while healing is running its course.
Most people will recover from their hairline fracture within 4-8 weeks, but it’s important to remember that you’ll want to ease back into stressful activity and give your ankle plenty of time to recover after activity. Hairline fractures are unlikely to return if you are smart in your recovery, but if you rush back before healing has completed or you overdo it too quickly upon your return to activity, the fracture can return.
For more information about hairline fractures or other foot and ankle injuries, search our blog or reach out to Dr. Silverman!