“How long should I wear an ankle brace after a fracture?”
I am a 37 year old female. I want to know how long should I wear an ankle brace after a fracture?
8 Answers
Depending on your fracture, you were placed in a below knee cast or a walking boot. If this is the case, and then were given an ankle brace, then the brace is to be worn for 2 to 4 weeks.
It's usually only 6 weeks, you do not want to become dependent on the brace as you want the muscles to strengthen and the ligaments to be strong instead of weak because the brace is doing the work for them.
The time frame to wear the brace will vary based on progress. I would recommend you discuss with your treating physician
Hello. An ankle fracture takes 8-12 weeks to heal. Patients are normally sent for physical therapy after. A brace can be used during the rehab period.
If you have a true ankle fracture, or any true fracture, it takes 6-8 weeks for a healthy person to heal without complications. At that time, the bone is technically at physiologic strength. BUT, if you have a true ankle fracture, immobilization needs to be better than an ankle brace. A person should be immobilized in a cast, splint, or walking boot for a minimum of 5-6 weeks after a fracture. Sometimes longer if there are complications with healing. An ankle brace can be used after 6-8 weeks of immobilization, but should not be used as the primary treatment.
That depends on the severity of the injury. I usually recommend 6 months after you start walking again, but that may be longer if your injury involved ligament or tendon damage
Six to eight weeks is normal.
Klee Bethel
Klee Bethel
Per Gunnar Brolinson
Family Practitioner
Good Afternoon,
While this may seem like a simple question without knowing a lot of additional details I can only speak in general terms. There are 2 major bones that make up the ankle joint (tibia and fibular). One or both of these bones can be fractured. Depending on the severity of the facture it could be treated with casting and/or surgery which of course impacts healing time. All of these and many other factors (what ligaments may have been torn) play a role in the amount of time you must wear a brace. For a minor fracture involving the tip of the fibula you might only need a brace for 4-6 weeks. For complex fractures involving both bones and several ligaments bracing may be required for 3-4 months. Pretty much all ankle fractures also require physical therapy for strengthening and flexibility which can also impact the amount of time necessary to wear a brace.
Best,
Dr. B
P. Gunnar Brolinson, DO
While this may seem like a simple question without knowing a lot of additional details I can only speak in general terms. There are 2 major bones that make up the ankle joint (tibia and fibular). One or both of these bones can be fractured. Depending on the severity of the facture it could be treated with casting and/or surgery which of course impacts healing time. All of these and many other factors (what ligaments may have been torn) play a role in the amount of time you must wear a brace. For a minor fracture involving the tip of the fibula you might only need a brace for 4-6 weeks. For complex fractures involving both bones and several ligaments bracing may be required for 3-4 months. Pretty much all ankle fractures also require physical therapy for strengthening and flexibility which can also impact the amount of time necessary to wear a brace.
Best,
Dr. B
P. Gunnar Brolinson, DO
