A fall, an accident, or a hard blow may cause one or more bones in the ankle to fracture (break). Depending on the type of injury, an ankle may fracture in several ways. Spiral fractures may result from twisting injuries. If bone pulls away from bone, the break is often straight. After a bad fall or a heavy blow, bone may be crushed. Although ankle fractures tend to cause pain, you may be able to walk on the ankle. However, this may not be a good idea. For the best recovery, have an injured ankle checked by a podiatrist.