Sprained or Broken Ankle Cost

How Much Does a Sprained or Broken Ankle Cost?

With Insurance: $100 to Out-of-Pocket Maximum

Non-Surgical Treatment: $500-$2,500+

With Surgery: $11,000-$20,000+

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[1] , 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[2] 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[3] .
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. And a typical doctor fee for surgical treatment of a fracture could reach $2,000 or more, according to Carolina Orthopaedic Surgery Associates[5] .
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[6] .
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[7] 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[8] in Lincoln, Nebraska.

Discounts:

Some orthopedic specialists offer discounts for uninsured/cash-paying patients. For example, the Southern California Orthopedic Institute offers discounted services for cash-paying patients, and the Northwest Community Hospital Orthopedic Services Center[9] , in Chicago, offers discounts for prompt payment.
Some free clinics, such as the Community Health Free Clinic[10] in Chicago, offer orthopedic specialty care. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services[11] provides a directory of federally funded health centers; if the nearest clinic doesn't offer orthopedic care, ask for a referral.

Shopping for a sprained or broken ankle:

A general practitioner can refer the patient to a specialist. Or, the American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery[12] offers an orthopedic surgeon finder by city, state or zip code. Sports-related injuries can be treated by a sports medicine specialist, who could be either a family physician or an orthopedic surgeon; the American Osteopathic Academy of Sports Medicine has a doctor finder.

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.

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What People Are Paying - Recent Comments

Dislocated & broken ankle

Amount: $0.00

Posted by: Clumsy Em in Nottingham, Other.	Posted: June 17th, 2021 08:06AM
Type of Injury: Dislocation & break	Type of Treatment: Surgery- plate & pins
Medical Center: QMC	Insurance Carrier: N/a

I fell down the stairs and my foot was facing the wrong way! An ambulance came to take me to ER, had an X-ray then put under to pop the dislocation back into place then sent for another X-ray after. Was told I’d need surgery as I’d also broken my ankle, waited on a ward for two days, moved to a private room just before surgery and had 8 pins and a plate put in. Stayed in the hospital for a total of 5 days, sent home with pain meds, crutches and a walking frame. Kept the cast on for two weeks then went back to the hospital to change into a different cast which was on for four weeks. Had the cast off, given a boot and booked in for physical therapy. Crazy to think all of this would cost me money in a different country. Thank the Lord for the NHS!

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