Condition Lookup
Sub-Category:
Leg and Ankle Injuries
Number of Conditions: 4
Tibia and fibula fractures
Specialty: Trauma and Injuries
Category: Lower Extremity Injuries
Sub-category: Leg and Ankle Injuries
Symptoms:
severe pain in the lower leg; swelling; bruising; deformity; inability to bear weight; visible bone in open fractures
Root Cause:
A break in the tibia (shinbone) or fibula (smaller bone of the lower leg), usually caused by trauma such as falls, car accidents, or sports injuries.
How it's Diagnosed: videos
Physical examination, X-rays to identify the fracture's location and severity, CT scan for complex fractures.
Treatment:
Immobilization with a cast or brace for minor fractures; surgical fixation with plates, screws, or rods for severe or displaced fractures.
Medications:
Pain relievers such as acetaminophen or NSAIDs (e.g., ibuprofen ), opioid analgesics for severe pain, antibiotics for open fractures to prevent infection.
Prevalence:
How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Common among athletes and individuals involved in high-impact activities; tibial fractures are the most frequently fractured long bones in the body.
Risk Factors:
Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Participation in contact sports, osteoporosis, motor vehicle accidents, falls from height.
Prognosis:
The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Good prognosis with appropriate treatment, though recovery may take several months. Complicated fractures may require longer healing and physical therapy.
Complications:
Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Infection in open fractures, delayed bone healing, compartment syndrome, nerve or blood vessel damage, post-traumatic arthritis.
Achilles tendon rupture
Specialty: Trauma and Injuries
Category: Lower Extremity Injuries
Sub-category: Leg and Ankle Injuries
Symptoms:
sudden, sharp pain in the back of the lower leg; a popping or snapping sensation; difficulty walking; weakness in pushing off the foot; swelling and bruising near the heel
Root Cause:
A partial or complete tear of the Achilles tendon, usually resulting from sudden stress or overstretching.
How it's Diagnosed: videos
Physical exam, positive Thompson test, MRI or ultrasound to confirm and assess severity.
Treatment:
Non-surgical treatment with casting or bracing, surgical repair for active individuals or complete ruptures, followed by rehabilitation and physical therapy.
Medications:
Pain relievers such as acetaminophen or NSAIDs (e.g., ibuprofen ) to manage discomfort.
Prevalence:
How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Most common in men aged 30-50 engaged in recreational sports involving jumping or sprinting.
Risk Factors:
Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Middle age, participation in high-impact sports, previous tendinopathy, certain antibiotics (e.g., fluoroquinolones), corticosteroid injections.
Prognosis:
The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Typically good with proper treatment; however, recovery can take 6-12 months. Re-rupture is possible without adequate rehabilitation.
Complications:
Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Chronic tendon pain, stiffness, weakness, or re-rupture if not adequately treated.
Bimalleolar fractures
Specialty: Trauma and Injuries
Category: Lower Extremity Injuries
Sub-category: Leg and Ankle Injuries
Symptoms:
severe pain in the ankle; swelling; bruising; deformity of the ankle; inability to bear weight; instability of the ankle joint
Root Cause:
A fracture involving both the medial and lateral malleoli, leading to joint instability. Commonly caused by trauma such as twisting injuries or falls.
How it's Diagnosed: videos
Physical exam, X-rays of the ankle, CT scan for detailed imaging in complex cases.
Treatment:
Surgical fixation with plates and screws in most cases; casting or bracing for minor, non-displaced fractures.
Medications:
NSAIDs for pain and inflammation, opioids for severe pain, anticoagulants to prevent blood clots if immobilized.
Prevalence:
How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Common in all age groups but particularly in individuals with a high risk of falls or sports injuries.
Risk Factors:
Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Osteoporosis, high-impact activities, motor vehicle accidents, previous ankle injuries.
Prognosis:
The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Typically good with proper surgical treatment and rehabilitation, but recovery may take several months.
Complications:
Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Post-traumatic arthritis, stiffness, nerve or blood vessel injury, delayed healing.
Trimalleolar fractures
Specialty: Trauma and Injuries
Category: Lower Extremity Injuries
Sub-category: Leg and Ankle Injuries
Symptoms:
severe pain and swelling in the ankle; deformity; bruising; inability to bear weight; instability in the ankle joint
Root Cause:
A fracture involving the medial, lateral, and posterior malleoli, leading to significant instability and damage to the ankle joint.
How it's Diagnosed: videos
Physical exam, X-rays, CT scan for evaluating complex fracture patterns.
Treatment:
Surgical intervention with fixation devices like plates and screws; immobilization and physical therapy post-surgery.
Medications:
NSAIDs (e.g., ibuprofen or naproxen ) for inflammation, opioids for severe pain, antibiotics if surgery involves open fractures.
Prevalence:
How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Less common than other ankle fractures but seen in high-energy trauma cases like car accidents or falls from height.
Risk Factors:
Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Osteoporosis, advanced age, sports injuries, vehicular accidents.
Prognosis:
The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Recovery can take several months to a year, with good outcomes if treated appropriately; long-term physical therapy may be required.
Complications:
Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Arthritis, chronic pain, joint stiffness, deep vein thrombosis, delayed union or non-union.