Definition

An ankle fracture is a break in the ankle joint. The joint is made up of three bones that make up:

• Tibia (shin bone)—the main bone of the lower leg that runs along the inside of the leg
• Fibula—the smaller bone of the lower leg that runs along the outside of the leg
• Talus—the bone that provides the connection between the leg and the foot and is less often fractured than the others

The ankle joint is supported by three groups of ligaments. An injury that causes a fracture may also damage one or more of these ligaments.

Ankle Fracture

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