Jalen Williams’ Injury: What to Know About a Fractured Fibula, Dislocated Ankle, and Rehabilitation
- Oklahoma City Thunder player Jalen Williams fractured his fibula and dislocated his ankle; his team announced he will need surgery.
- A dislocated ankle requires immediate medical attention; treatment includes repositioning and stabilizing the joint, with surgery for some unstable fractures.
- Rehabilitation may include protected weight-bearing and exercises to restore movement, strength, balance, and walking, with the care team guiding progression.
Oklahoma City Thunder star Jalen Williams suffered a fractured fibula and dislocated ankle after landing awkwardly during a game against the Los Angeles Clippers. The team announced that he’ll need surgery.
While injuries like Williams’ can happen during sports, they can also occur after a fall, car accident, or another traumatic event. Treatment and rehabilitation depend on the injury details, but recovery often involves a team of specialists working together to help a patient regain strength, mobility, and independence.
What’s a fractured fibula and dislocated ankle?
The fibula is the smaller of the two bones in the lower leg and runs from the knee to the ankle. A fibula fracture occurs when that bone breaks.
An ankle dislocation happens when the bones that form the ankle joint move out of their normal position. A fracture and dislocation can occur together, and the injury may also affect the ligaments and other soft tissues surrounding the bones.
These injuries can cause significant pain, swelling, bruising, and difficulty putting weight on the affected leg. An ankle that looks out of place after an injury needs immediate medical attention.
How are these injuries treated?
Treatment depends on where the bone is broken, stability of the ankle joint, and whether other structures have been injured.
When an ankle is dislocated, a medical team repositions and stabilizes the joint. Some fractures can heal with a cast or walking boot, while fractures with an unstable pattern may require surgery. If necessary, an orthopedic surgeon may use plates and screws to hold broken bones in place as they heal.
What does rehabilitation after a serious ankle injury look like?
Rehabilitation is an important part of recovery after an ankle fracture or dislocation. The goal is to help patients gradually return to the activities that matter to them, whether that’s walking comfortably, returning to work, or playing a sport.
Each rehabilitation plan is different, but can include:
- Protecting the ankle while it heals. Depending on the injury and surgery, a patient may need a splint, cast, or boot and have to use crutches or another device to avoid putting weight on the leg.
- Restoring movement. Once the medical team has determined the adequate bone and soft tissue has healed properly, therapeutic exercises can help improve ankle mobility and reduce stiffness.
- Building strength. Physical therapy can help strengthen the muscles in the foot, ankle, and leg after a period of limited activity.
- Improving balance and walking. Patients may work on standing, balance, and walking as they’re gradually cleared to put weight on the injured leg.
- Returning to activity. As recovery progresses, therapy may include exercises tailored to the patient’s goals; for athletes, that can eventually mean running, jumping, and sport-specific movements.
A patient’s surgeon and rehabilitation team determine when it’s safe to move through each stage. Removing the splint, cast, or boot, walking too soon, or returning to activities without guidance from the medical team can lead to delayed healing and a slower return to function.
How long does recovery take?
There’s no single recovery timeline for a fractured fibula and dislocated ankle.
Recovery time depends on the injury’s severity, the required treatment, how the bone and surrounding tissues heal, and the patient’s goals
Returning to high-level sports involves more than waiting for the bone to heal. An athlete also needs to rebuild the strength, mobility, balance, and confidence required to perform safely.
Recovering from a serious injury can take time, but patients don’t have to navigate the process alone. At Jackson Health System, rehabilitation specialists help patients work toward their individual goals and regain function after an injury or surgery.
To learn more about the care available, visit UHealth Jackson Rehabilitation Care | Inpatient & Outpatient Services
Image credit: Daiei Onoguchi, CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
