DeMarco Murray, running back for the Dallas Cowboys, will be
out for the rest of the season with a broken ankle. The injury came this Sunday night in the
first quarter of the game against the New York Giants, as Murray was pulled
down at the end of an eight-yard gain.
His ankle was pinned against the turf, and the injury is being reported
as an ankle fracture and a high ankle sprain.
The rookie was a key asset to the Cowboys’ offense this
season in their search for a playoff spot, but will sit the rest of the season
as the injury heals. He had run for 25
yards already in the game, giving him 899 for the season. The combination of ankle fracture and high
ankle sprain will certainly require some attention from the Dallas medical
staff and trainers.
Ankle fractures are a common pathology during sports, and
can occur from either direct or indirect mechanisms. Indirect mechanisms imply a twisting force
placed across the ankle when the foot is held in place. This is particularly common in football, as
is the diagnosis of a high ankle sprain.
A high ankle sprain refers to damage to the ankle
syndesmosis, which is a structure that keeps the tibia and fibula in close
contact, helping to create and stabilize the ankle joint. An injury to the syndesmosis can often lead
to long-term damage and instability in the joint. These sprains are often treated with surgery,
where a screw is placed across the syndesmosis to prevent it from moving while
the tissues are allowed time to heal. In
the case of DeMarco Murray, it is uncertain whether surgery will be
necessary.
Ankle fractures can
be treated conservatively, often immobilizing the ankle and leg in a short leg
cast or a removable boot and keeping weight off of the leg while it heals. For ankle fractures that have become
displaced, meaning that the ends of the broken bone do not line up with each
other, surgery may become necessary to achieve a favorable outcome. Surgery for
ankle fractures involves the use of screws and plates, which may be necessary
to use on both sides of the ankle. In
the case of ankle fracture combined with high ankle sprain, it becomes very
important to stabilize the ankle sprain with a screw across the tibia and
fibula, the leg bones that create the ankle joint. Without this stabilization, motion across the
screw will cause the screw to fail, and the fracture fragments will be allowed
to move apart.
As for DeMarco Murray, he will hopefully be able to heal his
injury rapidly, and return to a productive career. The rookie running back was having a great
season before the injury, rushing for 293 yards in October, the seventh-most in
the history of the NFL.
Central Florida Foot and Ankle Center, LLC.
101 6TH St. NW.
Winter Haven, Fl. 33881
863-299-4551
www.FLFootandAnkle.com
