Your expected results will depend upon how severe the fracture is and how well it can be put back together. With most ankle fractures, if your doctor is able to reestablish the normal relationship of your bones and secure them into their proper position, good to excellent results are usually obtained.

Good to excellent results mean that you are able to return to work and leisure activities with little or no pain after making a full recovery. Additionally, in most cases, normal or near normal motion of the ankle returns.

The term "ankle fracture" is a general term that describes a wide variety of broken bones. These fractures vary in treatment as well as in outcome. For example, when a fracture involves a joint surface, the risk of eventually developing arthritis in that joint, even with proper treatment, is higher. Having arthritis usually leads to pain and decreased motion.

Because individual situations can vary, you and your doctor can discuss the expected results for your specific case. It is important that your expectations match your doctor's expectations.