1. Least Effective Exercises Slideshow
2. Dehydration Slideshow
3. First Aid Care and Pain Relief for Minor Injuries

Medical Author:

John P. Cunha, DO, FACOEP

John P. Cunha, DO, FACOEP

John P. Cunha, DO, is a U.S. board-certified Emergency Medicine Physician. Dr. Cunha's educational background includes a BS in Biology from Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey, and a DO from the Kansas City University of Medicine and Biosciences in Kansas City, MO. He completed residency training in Emergency Medicine at Newark Beth Israel Medical Center in Newark, New Jersey.

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Medical Editor:

Charles Patrick Davis, MD, PhD

Charles Patrick Davis, MD, PhD

Dr. Charles "Pat" Davis, MD, PhD, is a board certified Emergency Medicine doctor who currently practices as a consultant and staff member for hospitals. He has a PhD in Microbiology (UT at Austin), and the MD (Univ. Texas Medical Branch, Galveston). He is a Clinical Professor (retired) in the Division of Emergency Medicine, UT Health Science Center at San Antonio, and has been the Chief of Emergency Medicine at UT Medical Branch and at UTHSCSA with over 250 publications.

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Follow-up care for an ankle fracture depends on the severity of the fracture; consultation with an orthopedist is recommended for most fractures. In some instances, a surgeon may need to be consulted, especially if there is any vascular compromise due to the fracture.

• The patient may need emergency surgery, next-day follow-up, or follow-up in 1-2 weeks with an orthopedic doctor.
• The patient may require follow-up with a family doctor.
  • If the patient's injured ankle was splinted on the initial visit, he or she will probably need to have a cast placed on the ankle during the follow-up visit.
  • Recovery time varies depending upon the type of fracture or need for surgery. The average fracture requires 4-8 weeks for the bone to heal.
  • With severe ankle injuries, the doctor may recommend physical therapy for rehabilitation after the acute phase of healing.

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