If I think I have a broken ankle but I want to wait to be sure, what signs should I watch for to be sure I get it checked?

Besides the obvious complaint of pain and being unable to bear weight on your ankle, if you have any of these signs or symptoms, you should be checked by a doctor as soon as possible:

  • you see bones coming through the skin
  • you can see that the joint is deformed or out of line
  • you can’t move your toes or ankle
  • your foot feels numb
  • the skin on your foot looks bluish
  • the skin on your foot feels cold to the touch.