Trimalleolar Ankle Fracture After a Slip and Fall

Slip and Fall Accident Causing Trimalleolar Ankle Fracture in Indiana

A serious slip and fall accident can fracture several bones in the ankle and keep a person off of their feet for many weeks while they recover. Slippery floors, uneven walkways, icy parking lots, poorly maintained pathways or stairways, rubbish and clutter are all opportunities for anyone to have a serious slip and fall injury that could result in a trimalleolar fracture. A trimalleolar ankle fracture after a slip and fall is a very serious type of personal injury that should be handled by an experienced slip and fall lawyer in Indiana like one of ours here at Shaw Law.

A trimalleolar ankle fracture after a slip and fall is a very serious type of personal injury that could result in significant compensation. For a free consultation, contact us today.

What is a Trimalleolar Fracture Ankle Injury?

A trimalleolar fracture ankle injury is specific kind of broken ankle. This is a very serious injury. The ankle is a very intricate joint made up of ligaments, tendons, nerves and bones. When three of the side ankle bones are broken (specifically the medial malleolus, the posterior malleolus, and the lateral malleolus), then this break is named a trimalleolar fracture, because “tri” means three.

As with a bimalleolar fracture involving two ankle bones, this is usually a rotational type of injury that happens when the ankle is twisted, or when the ankle is rolled sideways. The ankle is likely to be rolled, rotated, or twisted after a person has a traumatic slip and fall accident.

Any forceful direct hit to the ankle could also result in a trimalleolar fracture, such as a person falling through a hole in a floor or a roof. If someone already has a stress fracture from repetitive injury or a case of osteoporosis, then a relatively low impact may be forceful enough to create a trimalleolar fracture ankle injury.

Medical Treatments for a Trimalleolar Fracture Ankle Injury

The sooner a person seeks medical treatment after a slip and fall, the better. A person should immediately rest, elevate their ankle, apply ice and compression. These techniques should keep the swelling down until a medical professional evaluates the injury further.

Trimalleolar fractures can be either nondisplaced or displaced. A nondisplaced fracture means that the ankle bones are still in their proper position despite being broken. A displaced fracture means that the broken ankle bones are not in their proper position or are separated. A doctor will order an X-ray to see the status of the ankle bones to determine if they are broken, as opposed to an injury of the soft tissues which may be detected through the use of an MRI or CT scan. These options taken together give a more complete picture of the injury.

Not all broken ankles need surgery, and that decision depends upon the type and the severity of the fracture. Mild ankle breaks with hairline fractures may not need surgery, and sometimes the healing takes place with a short leg cast or a splint.

Surgery for a Trimalleolar Ankle Fracture After a Slip and Fall

In the case of a trimalleolar ankle injury, if the bones are fragmented or out of their proper place, they may need surgical intervention to be put in place to heal properly. Sometimes screws, plates, and rods are needed. Otherwise, if the bones heal without being put in their rightful place, then a malunion will result. A malunion indicates the potential for future complications, including arthritis.

Prognosis for a Trimalleolar Ankle Fracture Injury

The bones in a trimalleolar ankle fracture should start to heal in about two months, but if the tendons and ligaments were also injured, then this will add to the healing time. After surgery a patient will need to elevate the ankle and not put any weight on it at all for two weeks, by which time a supportive removable boot may be used.

Physical therapy may start at week six but only if X-rays indicate that the bones have mended. More physical therapy will likely be ordered so that the patient can gain strength and flexibility, and alleviate stiffness.

A trimalleolar ankle fracture after a slip and fall is a very serious type of personal injury that could result in significant compensation if a victim has strong legal representation, call the experienced slip and fall lawyers in Indiana at (260) 777-7777 or message us to learn how we can help protect your rights.