A broken ankle, also known as an ankle fracture, can be a very devastating injury. Not only may the pain be severe, but it inhibits daily activities as well. A broken ankle can affect one bone in the ankle joint, or several bones. There may also be damage to ligaments as well. Typically the more bones that are broken, the more unstable the ankle becomes.

Always consult your doctor if you have an injury or suspect that you may have a broken ankle. A broken ankle typically takes at least six weeks to heal. Here are some methods that are often used to treat a broken ankle:

Cold Therapy - Icing the ankle may help alleviate pain and reduce swelling.

Elevation - Keeping the foot elevated limits swelling and also minimizes damage to neighboring tissues.

Splint & Cast - Your doctor will probably splint the ankle to make sure the bones are lined up properly. Once the swelling goes down, a cast is put on to continue protecting the ankle while you heal.

Crutches - Depending on the severity of your broken ankle, your doctor may ask that you refrain from putting weight on it. Crutches may need to be used in order for you to move around.

Ankle Brace - Once you are allowed to place weight on the ankle joint, an ankle brace can be used to help facilitate the rehabilitation process. One of the best ankle braces for a broken ankle in our collection of supports is the Aircast Air-Stirrup Ankle Brace. The Air Stirrup helps heal and ease pain, helps protect the ankle from re-injury, and helps you manage ankle functionality when broken.