Ankle Fracture Symptoms

Signs and symptoms of ankle injuries and fractures tend to be obvious.

• Pain is the most common complaint.
  
  
  • Often the pain will not come from the exact area of the fracture.
    
    
  • You may experience associated fractures of your foot (especially on the side of the small toe) or knee that also cause pain.
    
    
  • It is usually pain in the ankle that stops you from walking.
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• Swelling frequently occurs around the ankle too.
  
  
  • Swelling suggests either soft tissue damage with possible blood around the joint or fluid within the joint itself, most likely blood.
    
    
  • When blood is in the joint, it is called hemarthrosis.
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• You may see bruising ("black and blue") about the joint, although not immediately. This bruising can track down toward the sole of your foot or toward the toes.
  
  
• In severe fractures you may see obvious deformities of bones around the ankle.
  
  
  • Your skin may be stretched over an underlying broken bone.
    
    
  • You may see actual exposed bone.
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• If you injure nerves or blood vessels that supply your foot, you may experience even more pain along with pale skin in the foot, numbness, or inability to move your foot or toes.