AboutKidsHealth

Minor ankle injuries

929.000000000000

Minor ankle injuries

English

Orthopaedics/Musculoskeletal

Toddler (13-24 months);Preschooler (2-4 years);School age child (5-8 years);Pre-teen (9-12 years);Teen (13-18 years)

Ankle

Ligaments

Conditions and diseases

Caregivers Adult (19+)

Pain

2019-11-04T05:00:00Z

7.70000000000000

67.8000000000000

911.000000000000

Health (A-Z) - Conditions

Health A-Z

<p>Minor ankle injuries, such as ankle sprains or minor fractures to the fibula, are common in childhood. These injuries tend to heal quickly. Learn more about minor ankle injuries and their treatment.</p>

<h2>What is a minor ankle injury?</h2><p>A minor ankle injury is an injury to the ligaments of the ankle (sprain) and/or bone on the outside of the ankle (fibula fracture).</p><p>An ankle sprain is when the ligaments surrounding the ankle joint get stretched or torn.</p> <figure class="asset-c-80"> <span class="asset-image-title">Ankle sprain</span> <img src="https://assets.aboutkidshealth.ca/akhassets/Ankle_sprain_MED_ILL_EN.jpg" alt="Tibia, fibula and partially torn ligament or ankle sprain" /> <figcaption class="asset-image-caption">An ankle sprain is an injury to the small ligaments in the ankle. Sprains often occur during a fall when the foot is twisted onto its outer edge.</figcaption> </figure> <p>When the fibula is involved, this is called a minor ankle fracture. This can be due to either a break in the growth plate of the fibula or a chip from the tip of the fibula.</p> <figure class="asset-c-80"> <span class="asset-image-title">Ankle fractures</span> <img src="https://assets.aboutkidshealth.ca/akhassets/Ankle_fracture_MED_ILL_EN.jpg" alt="Ankle with break in the growth plate and ankle with tip of the fibula broken off" /> <figcaption class="asset-image-caption">A minor fracture of the ankle usually involves the fibula. Two types of fractures are most common in children. One involves a break in the growth centre of the fibula (Salter-Harris I or II fracture). The other involves a chip of bone on the tip of the fibula.</figcaption> </figure> <p>Minor ankle injuries are common in children. Your child may have twisted their ankle playing sports or landed on their foot in a strange way to cause this injury.</p>

<h2>Key points</h2><ul><li>Ankle injuries are common in children.</li><li>Ankle injuries can cause pain and swelling.</li><li>X-rays are usually not needed if your child has a minor fibular fracture or ankle sprain injury.</li><li>See a doctor if you suspect a more serious injury such as a fracture, if there is pain anywhere other than the outside of the ankle or if things are not improving in a couple days or the pain is getting worse.</li></ul>

<h2>Signs and symptoms of minor ankle injury<br></h2><h3>After an ankle injury, your child may have:</h3><ul><li>a hard time walking</li><li>mild to severe pain</li><li>less movement in the ankle</li></ul><h3>Other signs may include: </h3><ul><li>swelling and bruising around the front and side of the ankle</li><li>tenderness around the areas of the bones </li><li>little or no tenderness over the bony prominences (fibula)<br></li></ul>

<h2>How is a minor ankle injury diagnosed?</h2><p>A doctor can determine if your child has a minor ankle injury without X-rays by doing a detailed exam of the ankle. If your child has a minor ankle injury, your child does not need an X-ray to confirm the diagnosis. The X-ray results do not change how these injuries are managed.</p>

<p>Sprains or minor ankle fractures heal well with time. If your child is diagnosed with a minor ankle injury, they do not need a cast or need to visit a bone specialist. If your child is having trouble walking, they may use crutches and/or an ankle brace that can support the injured ankle while it is healing.</p><h2>Taking care of your child at home</h2><h3>Rest, ice, compression, elevate</h3><p>Your child should limit activity for the first few days after the injury.</p><p>Apply ice to the injured area for the first two to three days. Make sure to cover the skin with cloth prior to applying ice and do not keep the ice on for longer than 15 minutes at a time.</p><p>If your child is having difficulty walking, you can use an ankle brace to support the ankle. If you are using a tensor bandage for support, ensure that it is not too tight and that the toes are still pink. </p><p>While your child is sitting or lying down, elevate their ankle to help reduce swelling.</p><h3>Medications</h3><p>You might also need to use medication to control your child’s pain. <a href="/article?contentid=153&language=English">Ibuprofen</a> and <a href="https://www.aboutkidshealth.ca/article?contentid=62&language=English">acetaminophen</a> are usually recommended for managing pain.</p><p>Ibuprofen and acetaminophen do not interact with each other. Ibuprofen may be slightly better in treating pain and inflammation caused by an injury.</p><p>If your child has a pre-existing medical condition or is already taking other medicines, talk to your child's doctor to make sure that acetaminophen or ibuprofen is safe for your child.</p>

<h2>Your child should see a doctor if:</h2><ul><li>The ankle is getting worse instead of better.</li><li>You are worried about how your child’s ankle is healing.</li><li>There is still a lot of difficulty in walking and ongoing pain after 48 hours.</li><li>The ankle is red or your child develops a fever.</li></ul>

<h2>Return to activity</h2><h3>Pain should be the guide of your child’s activities</h3><p>If an activity hurts, your child should stop doing that activity and try it again a few days later.</p><p>It may take up to three weeks for your child’s ankle to heal. Your child can use ankle supports and/or crutches as needed to make them more comfortable while the ankle is healing. Feel free to remove the support and/or stop using crutches any time your child says they feel little or no pain with activities.</p><h2>Return to sport</h2><p>Your child can return to sports when there is full movement and full strength in the ankle. You can test ankle strength by asking your child to hop on the injured leg five times. Check if your child shows signs of pain or is unsteady while hopping. Also, see if your child can run easily in a little zigzag. </p><p>Before returning to highly competitive sport, you may want to see a doctor who knows about athletic and sport-related injuries.</p><p>It is normal to have pain and swelling once in a while for the first three months. However, most children are doing all the activities they were doing before, including sports, by three months after the injury.</p>

https://assets.aboutkidshealth.ca/AKHAssets/ankle_sprains.jpg

anklesprain,anklefracture

Minor ankle injuries

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