Health Library

Ankle dislocation happens when the bones that form the ankle are moved out of position. The bones that form your ankle are the two bones in your lower leg and the bone on top of your foot.

What are the causes?

Common causes of this injury include:

1. Tripping.
2. Falling.
3. A car accident.

A dislocated ankle can happen when a lot of force is applied to the ankle, such as when it's twisted or rotated.

What increases the risk?

1. Being born with ligaments that are looser than normal. Ligaments are strong tissues that connect bones to each other.
2. Having weak lower leg muscles.
3. Spraining your ankle often.

What are the signs or symptoms?

Symptoms of this injury include:

1. Very bad pain.
2. A change in the normal shape of your ankle.
3. Swelling.
4. Bruising.
5. Not being able to move your foot.
6. Not being able to use the foot to support your body weight.

How is this diagnosed?

This injury may be diagnosed based on:

1. A physical exam.

Tests to check for broken bones and injuries to ligaments, such as:

1. X-ray.
2. MRI.
3. CT scan.

How is this treated?

A dislocated ankle is treated by moving your bones back to their normal position (reduction). This needs to be done as soon as possible to prevent complications.

There are two kinds of reduction:

1. Closed reduction. This is done by hand by a health care provider.
2. Open reduction. This is done with surgery.

You may need surgery if:

1. You have a broken bone.
2. You have an open wound caused by a broken bone coming out of the skin.
3. Your blood vessels or nerves are damaged.
4. Closed reduction didn't work.

After a reduction, your foot and ankle will be put in a splint. If you don't have surgery, you may have a cast until the bones and ligaments heal.

After your ankle heals, you may need physical therapy.

Follow these instructions at home:

If you have a cast or splint that can't be taken off:

1. Do not put pressure on any part of the cast or splint until it's hard. This may take a few hours.
2. Do not stick anything inside it to scratch your skin. Doing this can lead to infection.
3. Check the skin around the cast or splint every day. Tell your provider if you see problems.
4. It's OK to put lotion on dry skin around the cast or splint.
5. Keep the cast or splint clean and dry.

If you have a splint or boot that can be taken off:

1. Wear the splint or boot as told. Take it off only if your provider says you can.
2. Check the skin around it every day. Tell your provider if you see problems.
3. Loosen the splint or boot if your toes tingle, are numb, or turn cold and blue.
4. Keep the splint or boot clean and dry.

Bathing

Do not take baths, swim, or use a hot tub until youʼre told itʼs OK. Ask if you can shower.

If the cast, splint, or boot isn't waterproof:

1. Do not let it get wet.
2. Cover it when you take a bath or shower. Use a cover that doesnʼt let any water in.

Managing pain, stiffness, and swelling

Use ice or an ice pack as told.

1. If you have a splint or boot that you can take off, remove it only as told.
2. Place a towel between your skin and the ice or between your cast or splint and the ice.
3. Leave the ice on for 20 minutes, 2–3 times a day.

If your skin turns red, take off the ice right away to prevent skin damage. The risk of damage is higher if you canʼt feel pain, heat, or cold.

1.   Move your toes often to reduce stiffness and swelling.
2.  Raise your foot above the level of your heart while you're sitting or lying down. Use pillows as needed.

Activity

Do not stand or walk on your injured ankle until youʼre told it's OK. Use crutches or a walker.

1. Ask what things are safe for you to do at home. Ask when you can go back to work or school.
2. Ask when itʼs safe to drive if you have a cast, splint, or boot on your foot.

 General Instructions          

Take your medicines only as told.

Do not smoke, vape, or use nicotine or tobacco.

You may need to take steps to help treat or prevent trouble pooping (constipation), such as:

1. Taking medicines to help you poop.
2. Eating foods high in fiber, like beans, whole grains, and fresh fruits and vegetables.
3. Drinking more fluids as told.

Ask your provider if itʼs safe to drive or use machines while taking your medicine.

Keep all follow-up visits. Your provider will check on your healing and activity level.

Contact a health care provider if:

You have:

1. Pain that isn't controlled by your medicine.
2. A fever.
3. Tingling in your foot or toes.

Your foot or toes are cold or numb.

Your cast, splint, or boot becomes damaged.

Get help right away if:

You have:

1. Very bad pain.
2. More swelling.

You lose feeling in your toes.

Your toes become very pale or blue.

You have:

1. Warmth, pain, and tenderness in your calf area.
2. Chest pain.
3. Problems breathing.

These symptoms may be an emergency. Call 112 right away.

1. Do not wait to see if the symptoms will go away.
2. Do not drive yourself to the hospital.

This information is not intended to replace advice given to you by your health care provider. Make sure you discuss any questions you have with your health care provider.