
Will I need physical therapy after my surgery? Your healthcare provider will discuss your pain concerns with you and provide appropriate medication. Will I receive pain medication after surgery?
Your bones' broken ends don't connect correctly. What are the complications with ORIF surgery to treat trimalleolar fracture? They might repair your malleolus, the back of your tibia, depending on the size of the fracture. Surgeons typically repair your medial malleolus, your tibia's bottom section, and your lateral malleolus, your fibula's bottom section. Your surgeon will put your ankle in a cast or brace.ĭo surgeons have to go through this process with each bone that is broken in a trimalleolar fracture?. Your surgeon then uses tools such as metal plates, screws or wires to connect your ankle's broken pieces. They line up your ankle's broken pieces. Your surgeon makes incisions to open your lower leg so they can access your broken ankle bones. What happens during ORIF surgery for trimalleolar fracture? If you take certain (but not all) blood pressure medications, talk to your healthcare provider about taking your medication with a sip of water. Stop taking Viagra® or other medications for erectile dysfunction for at least 24 hours before the procedure. Stop taking herbal supplements for one to two weeks before the procedure as directed by your provider. Even quitting for one day before your surgery helps your heart and lungs. If you smoke, quit smoking at least two weeks before your surgery to improve your heart and lung health. Avoid eating and drinking for eight hours before you go to the hospital unless directed otherwise. To prepare for general anesthesia, you should: The goal of ORIF surgery is to line up your broken bones so they heal appropriately. Most trimalleolar fractures are treated with Open Reduction Internal Fixation (ORIF) surgery. Trimalleolar fractures are treated with ankle surgery and physical therapy. How do healthcare providers treat trimalleolar fractures? These bony knobs are your medial malleolus and your lateral malleolus. What is the difference between a trimalleolar fracture and a bimalleolar fracture?Ī bimalleolar fracture happens when you break your bony knobs that stick out from the inside and outside of your ankle. Younger people are injured playing sports, being in motor vehicle accidents or falling.Īs older adults remain active longer, healthcare providers are treating more trimalleolar fractures from sports injuries, motor vehicle accidents and falls from heights. Historically, adults ages 65 and older are most commonly treated for trimalleolar fractures after tripping and falling. Who is likely to have a trimalleolar fracture? Abruptly "rolling" or rotating your ankle. Trimalleolar fractures can have several causes: You are likely to develop arthritis in your ankle. You might walk with a limp even after your fracture heals. You can damage the tendons and ligaments that support your broken bones, adding to the time it takes to recover.
That means you won't be able to get around easily, drive, or do other everyday activities. It can take months to recover from a trimalleolar fracture. You'll be in a cast or a brace or brace while your ankle heals.You'll need ankle surgery to repair your trimalleolar fracture.
Is a trimalleolar fracture a serious injury?Ī trimalleolar fracture is a serious injury that can affect your quality of life and cause long term problems: The bony sections, which are sometimes called the malleo complex, create a three-sided frame supporting the ligaments that keep your ankle stable and let you move your ankle and foot. There's a bony knob that sticks out on the outside of your ankle. This is the smaller bone in your lower leg. There's also a bony section at the back of your tibia. There's a bony knob that sticks out at the inside of your ankle. This is the larger bone in your lower leg. When you have a trimalleolar fracture, you've broken three bony sections at the end of your lower leg bones: What happens when I have a trimalleolar fracture? A trimalleolar fracture can have a long-term impact on your quality of life. Trimalleolar fractures require surgery and extensive physical therapy. Trimalleolar fractures happen when you break the lower leg sections that form your ankle joint and help you move your foot and ankle.