Sprinter Manteo Mitchell was running in the men’s 4x400 Olympic relay, until 200 meters into the race, he heard a pop! Mitchell knew something went wrong in his left leg. “It felt like somebody literally just snapped my leg in half,” said Mitchell. He continued to run and didn’t give up, doctors confirmed that the 25-year old ran the last half-lap of the race with a completely broken left fibula just above the ankle.

Despite suffering a broken left fibula, Mitchell kept running all the way to the finish line. “The whole world is watching you.  You don't want to let anyone down," said Mitchell. The Olympics showcase men’s and women’s determination and athleticism like Mitchell. If you have suffered a similar injury, it is recommended to seek the care of a podiatrist like Dr. Bryant Tarr of Sudbury & Westford Podiatry who will be able to evaluate your conditions and assist you.   

Broken Ankles

A broken ankle is experienced when a person fractures their tibia or fibula in the lower leg and ankle area. The tibia is the bone of the lower leg that is known to be the weight-bearing bone and is also more commonly called the shin. The fibula is the bone that is found on the outside of the leg and is smaller than the tibia. These bones are both attached at the bottom of the leg and combine to form what we know to be our ankle.

When a physician is referring to a break of the ankle, he or she is usually referring to a break in the area where the tibia and fibula are joined to create our ankle joint. Ankle fractures are very common since they occur in an area that suffers a lot of weight bearing and stress; therefore this area is more prone to suffering from fractures. There some obvious signs when a person experiences a fractured ankle and the following symptoms may be present.

Symptoms of a Fractured Ankle

- Excessive pain when the area is touched or when any pressure is placed on the ankle.
- Swelling around the area.
- Colorful bruising of the area.
- Area appears to be deformed.

Prognosis of a broken ankle is normally good. The sooner your receive treatment the better. So if you suspect an ankle fracture, seek treatment as soon as possible.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact one of our offices in either Sudbury, MA or Westford, MA. We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

Read more on Broken Ankles.