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CostHelper.com > Health & Personal Care > Sprained or Broken Ankle
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Sprained or Broken Ankle Cost |
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How Much Does a Sprained or Broken Ankle Cost? |
 | With Insurance: $100 to Out-of-Pocket Maximum |
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 | Non-Surgical Treatment: $500-$2,500+ |
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 | With Surgery: $11,000-$20,000+ |
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| Typical costs: | - Without health insurance, diagnosis and non-surgical treatment for a sprained or broken ankle typically costs less than $500 for a mild to moderate sprain and up to $2,500 or more for a fracture requiring a cast. An ankle X-ray can cost an average of $180, according to NewChoiceHealth.com, but some radiology centers charge $1,000 or more. Non-surgical treatment of a sprain that involves wrapping the ankle costs about $128, while application of a short leg cast costs about $238, not including the doctor fee, according to Saint Elizabeth Regional Medical Center in Lincoln, Nebraska. A typical doctor fee for non-surgical treatment of a fracture would include $90 to $200 for an office visit plus $250 to $950 for treatment, according to Carolina Orthopaedic Surgery Associates.
- 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 in Lincoln, Nebraska. And a typical doctor fee for surgical treatment of a fracture could reach $2,000 or more, according to Carolina Orthopaedic Surgery Associates.
- Treatment for a sprained or broken ankle generally will be covered by health insurance. Typical expenses for a patient with insurance can include an X-ray copay, an office visit copay and coinsurance of 30 percent or more for the procedure. The total could range from $100 for a mild sprain to thousands of dollars, or the yearly out-of-pocket maximum for surgery.
What should be included: | - Ankle sprains often can be treated with a brace and compression wrap, ice, rest, elevation and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, according to WebMD.
- For non-surgical treatment of ankle fractures, a doctor usually applies a brace or short leg cast, and might order follow-up X-rays to make sure the bone is staying in place during healing.
- For surgical treatment of ankle fractures, the doctor places wires, screws or other hardware to hold the bones in place during healing; the exact treatment depends on the type and severity of fracture. The American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons outlines the typical treatment for various types of ankle fractures.
Additional costs: | - Going to an emergency room for initial treatment could add $1,000 to $2,000 or more to the final bill; costs would include an emergency room visit fee, an emergency room doctor fee and the cost of a temporary cast such as an air cast; the patient would then need to seek treatment from a specialist.
- Crutches cost about $15 to $40 for a basic pair or up to $100 or more for deluxe forearm crutches.
- Physical therapy might be necessary for regaining strength and balance. Several sessions per week at $50 to $75 per hour for six to eight weeks could cost $1,000 or more.
- For patients who have a broken bone treated surgically, metal hardware usually can be left in, unless it causes irritation in the future; if removal is required, it can cost between about $2,533 and $11,710 or more, according to Saint Elizabeth Regional Medical Center in Lincoln, Nebraska.
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Shopping for a sprained or broken ankle: | |
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Material on this page is for informational purposes only and should not be construed as medical advice. Always consult your physician or pharmacist regarding medications or medical procedures. |
Article updated September 2010 |
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