Swimming After a Trimalleolar Fracture

Your ankle joint involves the interaction between three bones -- your tibia, fibula and talus. Ankle fractures can occur due to damage to one or more of these bones. A trimalleolar fracture involves three breaks to the malleoli, or rounded surfaces, of the tibia and fibula. Though you might require a lengthy rest period after sustaining a trimalleolar fracture, you might be able eventually to return to physical activities like swimming.

SWIMMING AND YOUR ANKLES

Swimming is a full-body exercise that relies on movement at several joints throughout your body, including your ankles. Each of the major kicks performed in swimming -- including the flutter kick performed in the freestyle and backstroke, the whip kick performed during the breaststroke and the dolphin kick performed in the butterfly stroke -- all require movement at your ankles, so your feet can help propel you through the water. As a result, fractures that affect your ankle flexibility and strength, like a trimalleolar fracture, can temporarily impinge on your ability to swim.

TREATMENT AND RECOVERY

The complex nature of a trimalleolar fracture can severely destabilize the ankle. Many individuals who suffer this type of fracture require surgery to reset the placement of the bones within the joint and stabilize the ankle joint. After surgery, you will not be able to bear weight on the ankle for six weeks, and the severe nature of a trimalleolar fracture means that you might have to wait several more weeks before you can resume swimming and other physical activities.

RETURNING TO SWIMMING

After an initial healing period, your doctor might recommend rehabilitation exercises designed to improve the use of your ankle. Under the supervision of a medical professional or physical therapist, you might begin exercises, performed in a pool or on land, designed to increase your range of motion and increase the strength of the muscles surrounding your ankle bones. In many cases, individuals who suffer even severe ankle fractures can return to regular activities, such as swimming, after three to six months of sustaining the fracture, according to the University of California, San Francisco. However, your age and overall health affect your healing time, and you might require a longer period of rehabilitation before you can swim again.

CONSIDERATIONS

The healing time for a trimalleolar fracture depends on the severity of each individual bone fracture, the overall damage to the ankle joint and whether you also damaged the ligaments surrounding these bones. As a result, you must receive personalized advice from a medical professional before you begin physical activities like swimming. Once you receive clearance, slowly integrate swimming into your fitness routine to avoid reinjuring your ankle, and alert your doctor of any pain or discomfort. By allowing your ankle to heal properly, you can avoid reinjury and enjoy activities like swimming for years to come.