Ankle Fracture Causes

When you stress an ankle joint beyond the strength of its elements, you injure the joint.

• If only the ligaments give way and tear, you have sprained the ankle.
  
  
• If a bone gives way and breaks, you have an ankle fracture.
  
  
• Fractures can occur with simultaneous tears of the ligaments. You can do this in several ways:
  
  
  • Rolling the ankle in or out
    
    
  • Twisting the ankle side to side
    
    
  • Extreme flexing or extending of the joint
    
    
  • Severe force applied to the joint by coming straight down on it as in jumping from a high level