Ankle Fracture Surgery

When you arrive for your procedure, you’ll be greeted by our clinical team and guided through the check-in process. Your consultant and anaesthetist will review your medical history, answer any last questions, and confirm the details of your surgery. You’ll then be shown to a private room where you can change into a hospital gown and relax before your surgery. 

When you’re ready, your anaesthetist will administer either a general anaesthetic (so you’ll be asleep) or a spinal anaesthetic (which numbs the lower body while you remain awake). Throughout your procedure, our team will monitor you closely to ensure you’re safe and comfortable. 

During the procedure, your surgeon will make an incision over the fracture site and carefully reposition the broken bones into their correct alignment. Metal implants such as plates, screws, or wires are then used to hold the bones securely in place while they heal.

Once the bones are stable and in the right position, your surgeon will close the incision with sutures and apply a dressing and supportive plaster cast or boot.

The procedure usually takes between 1 and 2 hours, and once it's complete, you’ll be able to relax and recover from the anaesthetic in private, comfortable surroundings, supported by our dedicated nursing team.

Ankle fracture surgery is a safe procedure, but as with any surgery, there can be risks. Whilst the chance of these risks occurring is low, they can include:

• residual weakness in the ankle

• reduced ability to walk

• Infection or bleeding at the incision site

• further surgery if the bone doesn’t heal properly

• nerve damage

You may need imaging tests before your surgery to identify the type of ankle fracture that has occurred, such as an ultrasound, X-ray, or MRI scan.

Following some ankle fractures, particularly where soft tissue damage or swelling is present, your consultant may delay surgery for a few days to allow the swelling to subside. If this is necessary, your ankle will be protected with a temporary splint or cast during this time. 

Once your surgery is planned, your consultant will let you know how to prepare for the procedure. Usually, this involves not eating or drinking for 6 hours before the surgery. It’s important to tell your consultant if you’re taking any medication, including any over-the-counter pain medicines, such as paracetamol or aspirin.

You’ll need to arrange for someone to collect you after your surgery and accompany you home.

After your operation, you’ll rest and recover in a private room for a few hours, with the support of a dedicated nurse. To stop your leg from moving and to allow the ankle to heal, you’ll need to wear a cast or brace on your leg. Typically, you’ll need to wear this for at least 6 weeks.  

Once you have recovered from the anaesthesia and seen your consultant, you’ll be able to go home the same day. Before you leave, your consultant will give you tailored advice on pain relief, wound dressing, any exercises you need to do, and any follow-up appointments.

Please contact the Surgery Centre for pricing.

At Welbeck, our orthopaedic surgeons are experts in their field and are dedicated to providing world-class care to every patient.

With access to colleagues across other specialties, our consultants are also able to refer within the Welbeck ecosystem if required to ensure you receive the treatment you need as quickly as possible, all under one roof.  

All appointments, testing, treatment, and follow-up appointments take place within our state-of-the-art facilities, enabling us to deliver accurate diagnostics and advanced treatments.

To book ankle fracture surgery, you must be referred by either your GP or an orthopaedic surgeon following a consultation with them. Self-referrals are not accepted for this treatment.

If you would like to schedule a consultation with an orthopaedic surgeon, please get in touch to make an appointment. Your health is important to us, so we strive to offer same-day appointments whenever possible.

Our consultants are recognised by the major health insurance companies. If you have private health insurance, your treatment at Welbeck can begin once you have obtained authorisation. We also provide care to self-paying patients. Learn more about the different payment options at Welbeck.