Without health insurance, diagnosis and surgical treatment of a broken ankle typically costs just under $11,000 to $20,000 or more. For example, surgery for a fractured ankle costs between $9,719 and $17,634, not including the doctor fee, according to a cost calculator from Saint Elizabeth Regional Medical Center [ 4] in Lincoln, Nebraska.
What is the average cost of a broken ankle?
Without health insurance, diagnosis and surgical treatment of a broken ankle typically costs just under $11,000 to $20,000 or more. For example, surgery for a fractured ankle costs between $9,719 and $17,634, not including the doctor fee, according to a cost calculator from Saint Elizabeth Regional Medical Center [ 4] in Lincoln, Nebraska.
How much does an ankle replacement surgery cost?
Without health insurance, an ankle replacement typically would cost $40,000 or more. For example, a major joint replacement for a lower extremity would cost about $29,643 not including the surgeon fee, according to Baptist Memorial Health Care in Memphis, Tennessee.
What is the recovery time for a broken ankle?
- Apply ice for 15 to 20 minutes at a time, every three to four hours to bring down the swelling.
- Keep your ankle elevated.
- Don't put any weight on your injured ankle.
- Lightly wrap the injury in a soft bandage that provides slight compression.
What should I do with a broken ankle?
- R=Rest. Prop you ankle up on a pillow and rest.
- I= Ice. Ice for twenty min cycles.
- C= Compress. Compress the ankle with an elastic ankle wrap or compression stocking.
- E=Elevate. Elevate the foot and rest.
How much does ankle reconstruction surgery cost?
On MDsave, the cost of an Ankle Ligament Repair or Reconstruction ranges from $7,669 to $12,821. Those on high deductible health plans or without insurance can save when they buy their procedure upfront through MDsave.
How much is a cast for a broken ankle?
Cost of a Broken Leg Without Insurance in 2021TreatmentCost Without InsuranceLeg X-ray$210 to $1,000Application of a short or long leg cast$221 to $238Crutches$15 to $100Surgical treatment of a broken leg$17,000 to $35,0001 more row•Oct 13, 2021
How much does it cost to fix a broken foot?
Without health insurance, diagnosis and treatment for a broken foot typically includes the cost of the X-ray, a facility fee and a doctor fee for a typical total of $500 or less for a minor stress fracture treated with rest and ice at home up to $2,000 or more for non-surgical treatment of any other type of fracture, ...
How much does an ankle cost?
Typical costs: Without health insurance, an ankle replacement typically would cost $40,000 or more. For example, a major joint replacement for a lower extremity would cost about $29,643 not including the surgeon fee, according to Baptist Memorial Health Care in Memphis, Tennessee.
How much is an ankle xray?
An ankle X-ray can cost an average of $180, according to NewChoiceHealth.com[1] , but some radiology centers charge $1,000 or more.
What is better a cast or a boot?
Less skin damage – skin underneath a cast can become raw and painful. The open-air design and lightweight material helps to prevent skin damage when wearing a walking boot. No loud saws used – walking boots can be removed without the use of loud saws. This is helpful for children who may be afraid of the saws.
How much does it cost for a foot surgery?
Specific Foot Repair Surgery Procedures and National Cost AveragesPrice RangeFoot Or Ankle Fusion Surgery Cost Average$11,900 - $32,500Foot Or Ankle Repair Surgery Cost Average$10,100 - $27,600
How much is a broken leg worth?
How Much Is a Broken Leg Worth in a Lawsuit? The average settlement value for a fibula or tibia fracture in a personal injury lawsuit is around $70,000 to $90,000. Femur fractures get twice as much compensation with an average settlement value of $150,000 to $175,000.
How much does it cost to fix a fractured bone?
If you have no health insurance, the diagnosis and treatment for a broken arm that does not require surgery generally runs up to $2,500 or more. If surgery is required, without health insurance a broken arm generally costs about $16,000 or more.
How do they fix a shattered ankle?
Ankle fractures are treated with surgery called open reduction internal fixation (ORIF). In ORIF, surgeons open up your injured ankle and line up the ends of your broken bones. They might also install metal plates, wires or screws to keep your ankle bones stable while the bones heal.
What is the recovery time for a broken ankle?
It takes at least 6 weeks for the broken bones to heal. It may take longer for the involved ligaments and tendons to heal. As mentioned above, your doctor will most likely monitor the bone healing with repeated x-rays. This is typically done more often during the first 6 weeks if surgery is not chosen.
How long is ankle surgery recovery?
Ankle surgery recovery takes time—typically at least six weeks, depending on the type of surgery and the severity of the injury.
Do you need a cast for a fractured ankle?
A broken bone must be immobilized so that it can heal. In most cases, this requires a special boot or a cast.
Is a boot or cast better for a broken ankle?
Both a cast and a boot can provide adequate protection to the ankle. A cast cannot get wet or be removed without special tools. A boot can be removed for bathing and sleeping. The type of fracture and the physician's judgment will determine the best type of immobilization.
Do you get a boot or cast for broken ankle?
Ankle fractures don't always require surgery, but most folks will need to keep their foot immobilized in a cast or removable boot for around six weeks so bones can heal.
Do you have to wear a cast for a fractured ankle?
Without surgery, your ankle will be placed in a cast or splint for 4 to 8 weeks. The length of time you must wear a cast or splint depends on the type of fracture you have. Your cast or splint may be changed more than once, as your swelling goes down.
How much does it cost to fix a broken ankle without insurance?
As for surgery, the costs for a broken ankle, without insurance, will be in the $6,000 to $25,000+ range, depending on the doctor, hospital and where you live. Insurance will cover the procedure only if it’s deemed medically necessary. Health insurance will often cover ankle surgery and will depend on your insurance company’s level of coverage.
How much does an ankle x-ray cost?
An ankle x-ray, for example, can cost $200 to more than $1,000 at a specialized radiology center. If a cast were needed, for example, then costs could be in the $1,500 to $2,500 range.
What is the best treatment for ankle sprain?
Ankle surgery overview. A mild to moderate ankle sprain will almost always require a compression wrap and brace. Non-surgical treatment for an ankle fracture, on the other hand, will either require a brace or a cast in severe circumstances. For surgical procedures, wires, screws and/or other hardware will be used to hold ...
What is the purpose of ankle surgery?
Last Updated: August 8, 2018. The main goal of ankle surgery is to allow the ankle to heal with a normal shape again. Whenever an ankle is found to be fractured, then surgery may be required to repair the ankle. “ plaster cast, leg in plaster ” ( CC BY-SA 2.0 ) by marktristan.
How to heal a sprained ankle?
Also, a mild to moderate ankle sprain can be cured by a compression wrap, brace, or even cast.
How much did James Kischer pay for an x-ray?
James Kischer (Omaha, Nebraska) paid $1000 and said: $1000 for x-ray on swollen ankle was not broken checked blood for diabetes and any other causes. They didn’t even help the pain and gave me a boot to wear. Health insurance did not help until I would meet a $3000 deductible so I ended up paying all of it.
How much does it cost to get crutches?
Crutches will more than likely be required after just about any treatment. A basic pair will cost about $20 to $45. Physical therapy, depending on your circumstances, may be needed to gain your strength and balance again.
How much does an ankle replacement cost?
Without health insurance, an ankle replacement typically would cost $40,000 or more. For example, a major joint replacement for a lower extremity would cost about $29,643 not including the surgeon fee, ...
Does insurance cover ankle replacement?
Ankle replacement typically is covered by insurance, according to podiatric surgeon Dr. Leonard R. Janis. However, some companies don't cover it. For example, CIGNA [ 2] considers it an experimental procedure, and Premera BlueCross considers it medically necessary only for patients who fit specific criteria.
How much does it cost to replace an ankle?
The average cost for an ankle replacement surgeryin the United States is $23,936, though prices can range from $14,730to $40,507 . One factor that can greatly affect the cost of an ankle replacement surgeryis whether you have the procedure performed in an inpatient facility, like a hospital, or an outpatient surgery center.
What are the factors that affect the cost of ankle replacement surgery?
More factors that affect the cost of ankle replacement surgery. Prescriptions — A physician may prescribe painkillers or antibiotics post-surgery. To avoid high prescription prices, make sure the prescriptions you receive are covered by your insurance policy.
How does healthcare affect cost?
Many things can affect the cost of healthcare, regardless of which type of procedure you’re getting. Generally, there are three factors that cause healthcare costs to vary: 1 Facility setting — Where you have your medical procedure done affects the cost. Having an ankle replacement surgery done in a hospital as an inpatient costs far more than having the same procedure done in an outpatient center. Since inpatient facilities tend to cost more to run, patients end up paying more for care. 2 Insured or uninsured — The price of ankle replacement surgery can vary between insurance providers. The change in price largely depends on how much of the procedure your insurance plan covers if any at all. If you don’t have health insurance, you can expect to pay the full cost of the procedure out-of-pocket. 3 Location — The region, state, and even city you live in can affect the cost of your medical procedure. If you live in a rural area with fewer facilities to choose from, you can expect to pay more than you would if you lived in a city with many providers. Traveling for a medical procedure can be a great money-saving option.
How long after surgery do you see a doctor?
Your doctor will want to see you for follow-ups appointments throughout the first year after your surgery—usually at three, six, and nine months.
Do you have to pay for ankle replacement surgery?
Nearly everyone who has ankle replacement surgery will have to pay some of the cost out-of-pocket. Uninsured patients will be responsible for the total cost of their surgery. Patients who do have health insurance will be responsible for paying their deductible, copay, and coinsurance amounts. The amount of each of these costs depends on your health ...
Is ankle replacement surgery expensive?
Medical procedures can be costly, whether you have health insurance or not. For people with high deductible health plans or no health plan at all, the cost of an ankle replacement surgery can be prohibitively high. Below, learn more about the national average price of ankle replacement surgery and how to find a fair cost for your procedure.
Can you have ankle replacement surgery in a hospital?
In the past, ankle replacement surgeries could only be performed in a hospital. Now, orthopedic surgeries are being done in outpatient surgery centers. Outpatient centers are just as safe as hospitals but could save you thousands on your medical bill.
How long does it take to recover from a broken ankle?
Broken Ankle Recovery Time. The recovery time for a broken ankle is around 6-10 weeks. Whether you have surgery or not, you’ll probably need to wear a cast, splint or walking boot for around the first six weeks.
What is a broken ankle?
A broken ankle, also known as an ankle fracture, is one of the most common lower leg injuries. It can be very painful and needs to be seen by a medical professional as soon as possible because it may need treatment to heal properly. Walking on a broken ankle can make the injury worse so if in doubt, get it checked out.
What are the bones that run from the knee to the ankle?
The ankle joint is made up of three bones. The tibia and fibula are the two long bones that run from your knee down to your ankle. The tibia, also known as the shinbone, is the weight-bearing bone and is the thicker and larger of the two. The fibula, or calf-bone, runs parallel and helps to stabilize the tibia.
What is the best way to diagnose ankle fractures?
The most commonly used imaging technique, X-rays can diagnose most ankle fractures. They will also determine the severity of the ankle fracture and whether there are any additional fractures in your leg or foot.
How do you know if you broke your ankle?
The most common symptom of a broken ankle is pain, which is usually immediate and intense. The pain may radiate up and down your leg and even down into your foot. Other symptoms of an ankle fracture or break are: In some cases, you may see exposed bone, which is called an open or compound fracture.
What is the most common fracture of the ankle?
Any one of these bones can break. However, the most common ankle fracture is known as lateral malleolus, which occurs in the fibula, just above the ankle joint. This accounts for around 55% of all ankle fractures (2). Any one of these bones can break.
What is the third bone in the ankle?
The fibula, or calf-bone, runs parallel and helps to stabilize the tibia. The third bone is the talus, a small wedge-shaped bone located deep in your ankle that supports both the tibia and the fibula. Any one of these bones can break. However, the most common ankle fracture is known as lateral malleolus, which occurs in the fibula, ...
The Cost of a Broken Bone Cost in 2021
The costs of a broken bone include the cost of primary treatment (such as getting a cast) plus the facility fee, whether that be in an outpatient or inpatient setting.
Costs of Anesthesia for Broken Bones
The cost of anesthesia will likely depend on which bone you broke as well as if you need an open or closed treatment. An open treatment is when the provider needs to create an incision to expose the bone and treat the fracture.
Additional Costs Associated with a Broken Bone
Going to an emergency room for initial treatment of a broken bone could add $1,000 to $2,000 more to the final bill. An ambulance ride could add another $500. Lastly, if you need physical therapy, it could add thousands of dollars more to the total depending on the duration and frequency of visits.
Broken Bone Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Broken bones can be mistaken for sprains, strains, or bruises, but can cause complications if not treated properly. Read on to learn more about diagnoses and what to do if you think you may have broken a bone.
Bottom Line
Accidents happen and can lead to broken bones. Thankfully, minor fractures can heal relatively easily with proper treatment and care. If you are injured and think you may have a broken bone, you can get an x-ray at most urgent care centers.