The ankle joint is made up of two lower leg bones (tibia and fibula) and a foot bone (talus). A dislocation is an injury to a joint causing the bones to no longer meet together correctly. In the ankle, this can occur when the talus no longer is in position with the tibia and fibula. A subluxation is a partial dislocation. When an ankle is subluxed or dislocated, the ligaments are often stretched or torn, and there may be a break in the bone. Signs and Symptoms

sudden joint pain, swelling and bruising unable to bear weight a deformed looking ankle with limited or no movement in the foot or ankle

Increased Risk

repeated injury to the ankle like previous ankle sprain(s) contact sports or sports that require side-to-side movements and jumping (football, basketball, soccer) having dislocated the ankle in the past shoes not having enough support looseness of joints and ligaments

Treatment

Medicine

Anti-inflammatory medicines, such as ibuprofen (Motrin® or Advil®) or naproxen (Aleve®) may be recommended. Take these as directed by your health care provider. Other minor pain relievers, such as acetaminophen (Tylenol®), may be used. Muscle relaxers or anesthesia may be needed to allow the muscles to relax and decrease pain.

Use of cold and heat

Cold should be applied for 10 to 15 minutes every 2 to 3 hours and after any activity that makes symptoms worse. Use ice packs or an ice massage. Heat should not be used on a new injury but may be used before doing stretching and strengthening activities prescribed by your health care provider or athletic trainer. Use a heat pack or a warm soak. Apply for 10 to 15 minutes.

Once the joint has been reduced (put back in place) x-rays should be done to look for broken bones. Orthopedic aids

A cast or walking boot may be recommended to hold the ankle in place, keep it from moving, and allow the swelling to go down.

Surgery may be needed for more severe injuries and complex fractures. Rehabilitation will be needed following immobilization or surgery to reduce swelling and regain motion, strength, and balance. This should be done under supervision of a physical therapist or athletic trainer.

How to Prevent

Do correct warm-up and stretching before activity. Wear protective equipment and support (ankle brace). Use proper technique during running, cutting and jumping. Maintain good conditioning, flexibility, muscle strength, endurance and cardiovascular fitness.

When to Call the Health Care Provider Call your health care provider or the Sports Medicine team at 614-355-6000 if one or more of these happens

pain, numbness, or turning pale in arms, hands, feet or legs pain, swelling or bruising get worse in spite of treatment new, unexplained symptoms develop 

Sports Medicine: Ankle Dislocation or Subluxation HH-I-508 ©2021, Nationwide Children’s Hospital

Schedule an Appointment
Schedule a Sports Medicine Appointment Online

The ankle joint is made up of two lower leg bones (tibia and fibula) and a foot bone (talus). A dislocation is an injury to a joint causing the bones to no longer meet together correctly. In the ankle, this can occur when the talus no longer is in position with the tibia and fibula. A subluxation is a partial dislocation. When an ankle is subluxed or dislocated, the ligaments are often stretched or torn, and there may be a break in the bone. Signs and Symptoms

sudden joint pain, swelling and bruising unable to bear weight a deformed looking ankle with limited or no movement in the foot or ankle

Increased Risk

repeated injury to the ankle like previous ankle sprain(s) contact sports or sports that require side-to-side movements and jumping (football, basketball, soccer) having dislocated the ankle in the past shoes not having enough support looseness of joints and ligaments

Treatment

Medicine

Anti-inflammatory medicines, such as ibuprofen (Motrin® or Advil®) or naproxen (Aleve®) may be recommended. Take these as directed by your health care provider. Other minor pain relievers, such as acetaminophen (Tylenol®), may be used. Muscle relaxers or anesthesia may be needed to allow the muscles to relax and decrease pain.

Use of cold and heat

Cold should be applied for 10 to 15 minutes every 2 to 3 hours and after any activity that makes symptoms worse. Use ice packs or an ice massage. Heat should not be used on a new injury but may be used before doing stretching and strengthening activities prescribed by your health care provider or athletic trainer. Use a heat pack or a warm soak. Apply for 10 to 15 minutes.

Once the joint has been reduced (put back in place) x-rays should be done to look for broken bones. Orthopedic aids

A cast or walking boot may be recommended to hold the ankle in place, keep it from moving, and allow the swelling to go down.

Surgery may be needed for more severe injuries and complex fractures. Rehabilitation will be needed following immobilization or surgery to reduce swelling and regain motion, strength, and balance. This should be done under supervision of a physical therapist or athletic trainer.

How to Prevent

Do correct warm-up and stretching before activity. Wear protective equipment and support (ankle brace). Use proper technique during running, cutting and jumping. Maintain good conditioning, flexibility, muscle strength, endurance and cardiovascular fitness.

When to Call the Health Care Provider Call your health care provider or the Sports Medicine team at 614-355-6000 if one or more of these happens

pain, numbness, or turning pale in arms, hands, feet or legs pain, swelling or bruising get worse in spite of treatment new, unexplained symptoms develop 

Sports Medicine: Ankle Dislocation or Subluxation HH-I-508 ©2021, Nationwide Children’s Hospital

Schedule an Appointment
Schedule a Sports Medicine Appointment Online

The ankle joint is made up of two lower leg bones (tibia and fibula) and a foot bone (talus). A dislocation is an injury to a joint causing the bones to no longer meet together correctly. In the ankle, this can occur when the talus no longer is in position with the tibia and fibula. A subluxation is a partial dislocation. When an ankle is subluxed or dislocated, the ligaments are often stretched or torn, and there may be a break in the bone. Signs and Symptoms

sudden joint pain, swelling and bruising unable to bear weight a deformed looking ankle with limited or no movement in the foot or ankle

Increased Risk

repeated injury to the ankle like previous ankle sprain(s) contact sports or sports that require side-to-side movements and jumping (football, basketball, soccer) having dislocated the ankle in the past shoes not having enough support looseness of joints and ligaments

Treatment

Medicine

Anti-inflammatory medicines, such as ibuprofen (Motrin® or Advil®) or naproxen (Aleve®) may be recommended. Take these as directed by your health care provider. Other minor pain relievers, such as acetaminophen (Tylenol®), may be used. Muscle relaxers or anesthesia may be needed to allow the muscles to relax and decrease pain.

Use of cold and heat

Cold should be applied for 10 to 15 minutes every 2 to 3 hours and after any activity that makes symptoms worse. Use ice packs or an ice massage. Heat should not be used on a new injury but may be used before doing stretching and strengthening activities prescribed by your health care provider or athletic trainer. Use a heat pack or a warm soak. Apply for 10 to 15 minutes.

Once the joint has been reduced (put back in place) x-rays should be done to look for broken bones. Orthopedic aids

A cast or walking boot may be recommended to hold the ankle in place, keep it from moving, and allow the swelling to go down.

Surgery may be needed for more severe injuries and complex fractures. Rehabilitation will be needed following immobilization or surgery to reduce swelling and regain motion, strength, and balance. This should be done under supervision of a physical therapist or athletic trainer.

How to Prevent

Do correct warm-up and stretching before activity. Wear protective equipment and support (ankle brace). Use proper technique during running, cutting and jumping. Maintain good conditioning, flexibility, muscle strength, endurance and cardiovascular fitness.

When to Call the Health Care Provider Call your health care provider or the Sports Medicine team at 614-355-6000 if one or more of these happens

pain, numbness, or turning pale in arms, hands, feet or legs pain, swelling or bruising get worse in spite of treatment new, unexplained symptoms develop 

Sports Medicine: Ankle Dislocation or Subluxation HH-I-508 ©2021, Nationwide Children’s Hospital

The ankle joint is made up of two lower leg bones (tibia and fibula) and a foot bone (talus). A dislocation is an injury to a joint causing the bones to no longer meet together correctly. In the ankle, this can occur when the talus no longer is in position with the tibia and fibula. A subluxation is a partial dislocation. When an ankle is subluxed or dislocated, the ligaments are often stretched or torn, and there may be a break in the bone.

Signs and Symptoms

  • sudden joint pain, swelling and bruising
  • unable to bear weight
  • a deformed looking ankle with limited or no movement in the foot or ankle

Increased Risk

  • repeated injury to the ankle like previous ankle sprain(s)
  • contact sports or sports that require side-to-side movements and jumping (football, basketball, soccer)
  • having dislocated the ankle in the past
  • shoes not having enough support
  • looseness of joints and ligaments

Treatment

  • Medicine
  • Anti-inflammatory medicines, such as ibuprofen (Motrin® or Advil®) or naproxen (Aleve®) may be recommended. Take these as directed by your health care provider.
  • Other minor pain relievers, such as acetaminophen (Tylenol®), may be used.
  • Muscle relaxers or anesthesia may be needed to allow the muscles to relax and decrease pain.
  • Use of cold and heat
  • Cold should be applied for 10 to 15 minutes every 2 to 3 hours and after any activity that makes symptoms worse. Use ice packs or an ice massage.
  • Heat should not be used on a new injury but may be used before doing stretching and strengthening activities prescribed by your health care provider or athletic trainer. Use a heat pack or a warm soak. Apply for 10 to 15 minutes.
  • Once the joint has been reduced (put back in place) x-rays should be done to look for broken bones.
  • Orthopedic aids
  • A cast or walking boot may be recommended to hold the ankle in place, keep it from moving, and allow the swelling to go down.
  • Surgery may be needed for more severe injuries and complex fractures.
  • Rehabilitation will be needed following immobilization or surgery to reduce swelling and regain motion, strength, and balance. This should be done under supervision of a physical therapist or athletic trainer.

How to Prevent

  • Do correct warm-up and stretching before activity.
  • Wear protective equipment and support (ankle brace).
  • Use proper technique during running, cutting and jumping.
  • Maintain good conditioning, flexibility, muscle strength, endurance and cardiovascular fitness.

When to Call the Health Care Provider

Call your health care provider or the Sports Medicine team at 614-355-6000 if one or more of these happens

  • Anti-inflammatory medicines, such as ibuprofen (Motrin® or Advil®) or naproxen (Aleve®) may be recommended. Take these as directed by your health care provider.

  • Other minor pain relievers, such as acetaminophen (Tylenol®), may be used.

  • Muscle relaxers or anesthesia may be needed to allow the muscles to relax and decrease pain.

  • Cold should be applied for 10 to 15 minutes every 2 to 3 hours and after any activity that makes symptoms worse. Use ice packs or an ice massage.

  • Heat should not be used on a new injury but may be used before doing stretching and strengthening activities prescribed by your health care provider or athletic trainer. Use a heat pack or a warm soak. Apply for 10 to 15 minutes.

  • A cast or walking boot may be recommended to hold the ankle in place, keep it from moving, and allow the swelling to go down.

  • pain, numbness, or turning pale in arms, hands, feet or legs

  • pain, swelling or bruising get worse in spite of treatment

  • new, unexplained symptoms develop

Sports Medicine: Ankle Dislocation or Subluxation

HH-I-508 ©2021, Nationwide Children’s Hospital

Schedule an Appointment
Schedule a Sports Medicine Appointment Online

Schedule an Appointment
Schedule a Sports Medicine Appointment Online