https://kingstonhospital.nhs.uk/information/weber-a
A ‘lateral ankle fracture’ is a break (fracture) to the outside (lateral) ankle bone. It is sometimes also called a Weber A fracture.
Healing
Healing usually takes around 6 to 12 weeks.
Pain and swelling
Your ankle may be swollen and painful.
Swelling is often worse at the end of the day. Resting with your foot up, and using ice or cold packs, will help. See Caring for your injury (below) for details. You can also take pain killers. Mild pain and swelling is normal for 3 to 6 months after your injury.
Speak to your GP or pharmacist for advice on what medicines to take for the pain.
Walking and your boot
The boot protects your ankle and will make you more comfortable. Wear the boot when you are standing and walking for the first 4 weeks. You can put weight through your foot. You may find it easier to use crutches in the early stages.
You can take the boot off at night or when resting.
Tell us if you have diabetes. You may need a special boot.
Exercises
Start exercise as soon as possible. See Caring for your injury (below) for details.
Stop smoking
Reducing or stopping smoking will help recovery.
For help, talk to your GP or pharmacist, or go to www.smokefree.nhs.uk for more information.
Follow-up
We do not usually book to see patients again. With this injury, most people recover well by following the instructions we give here.
Contact the Trauma Triage Clinic team (details at the bottom of this leaflet):
if you are still using the boot after 6 weeks
if you still have significant pain or swelling after 12 weeks
if you are concerned about your symptoms
if you are unable to follow the instructions given below
if you have pain other than in your ankle.
Rest your ankle, especially in the first 3 days. Raise your ankle on a stool or cushions so that it is above the level of your hip. This will help reduce the swelling.
Wear your boot whenever standing and walking for the first 4 weeks. You can take it off when resting and at night. Wear a long sock in your boot.
Use a cold pack to help with pain and swelling. You can use an ice pack or bag of frozen peas wrapped in a damp towel. Put this on your ankle for up to 15 minutes every few hours. Make sure the ice is not in direct contact with your skin.
Early movement of the ankle and foot is important to promote blood flow and reduce the risk of a blood clot. You can find out more including symptoms of a clot at www.nhs.uk/conditions/deep-vein-thrombosis-dvt.
1.
Point your foot up and down.
Repeat this 10 times.
2.
With your heels together, move your toes apart to turn the foot outwards.
Repeat this 10 times.
3.
Make gentle circles with your foot in one direction and then the other direction.
Repeat this 10 times.
You can stop using the boot 4 weeks after your injury.
Start by walking without the boot at home. Build up to walking without it outside and for longer walks. You should not be using your boot 6 weeks after the injury.
It is normal to still have mild discomfort and swelling. This may continue for 6 to 12 months.
Stretches
1.
Sit with your leg straight out in front of you.
Put a towel or bandage around your foot and pull it towards you.
Feel a stretch in the back of the calf.
Hold for 30 seconds.
2.
Point your toes down as far as they go.
Put your other foot on top and apply some pressure. This will stretch the top of your foot.
Hold for 30 seconds
After 6 weeks of your injury, you should not be using your boot or crutches. It is time to start exercises to practise your balance.
Level 1: These exercises are for people who could not stand on one leg before their injury.
1.
Hold onto a firm support in a safe space.
Stand with your feet as close together as possible.
Hold your balance for 30 seconds.
2.
Now try removing your hand.
Try to keep your balance for 30 seconds.
3.
Hold onto a firm support.
Put one foot in front of the other, as close together as you can.
Hold this for 30 seconds.
If you can, try to let go of the support and keep your balance.
Level 2: These exercises are for people who could stand on one leg before their injury.
Do these exercises standing on your injured leg.
1.
Hold onto a firm surface in a safe space.
Try to stand on one leg.
Hold this for 30 seconds.
Stop if it is painful.
When you can do this comfortably, try the next exercise.
2.
Try to stand on one leg without holding on to a support.
Try to hold this for 30 seconds.
When you can do this comfortably, try the next exercise.
3.
Try these exercises with your eyes closed.
Make sure you are always in a safe environment with a support to hold if needed.
Contact the Trauma Triage Clinic if you are struggling to recover your movement or return to activity (see contact details, below).
The boot has a thicker sole which can make you feel uneven. Make sure you wear a supportive shoe or trainer on your uninjured foot. This will reduce stress on other joints.
If you need more advice, contact the Trauma Triage Clinic.
If you have diabetes, contact us to discuss your boot. This is particularly important if you have problems with your skin or sensation. We may provide you with a specialist diabetic boot.
You can return to driving when:
Before you start driving again, it is recommended that you speak to your insurance company and test your ability to drive in a safe environment.
You can get a fitness for work statement from your GP.
Both the boot and crutches can be returned to the Physiotherapy Department.
| Trauma Triage Clinic |
020 8934 6983 (Monday to Friday, 8am to 4pm), Khn-tr.orthopaedics@nhs.net |
| For any urgent queries at other times | NHS 111 |
| Translate | Please speak to a member of staff before or during your visit to the hospital if you require translation. |
| Accessibility | Please contact the Patient Experience Team on 020 8934 3850 if you need this information in a different format. For information accessibility please visit Kingston Hospital AccessAble www.accessable.co.uk/kingston-hospital-nhs-foundation-trust |
| Support services
www.kingstonhospital.nhs.uk Switchboard 020 8546 7711 |
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Please speak to a member of staff before or during your visit to the hospital if you require translation support to access Patient Information. Please ring the phone number on your appointment letter, if you have one.
Please contact the Patient Experience Team on 020 893 3850 if you need this information in a different format.
For detailed information on accessibility at Kingston Hospital visit Kingston Hospital AccessAble (https://www.accessable.co.uk/kingston-hospital-nhs-foundation-trust).
Visit the hospital website, ask a member of staff, or ring us for details.