The general process for healing a fibula fracture is immobilization with a splint or cast for several weeks, after which you might get a walking boot to help you walk. If the fractured fibula has broken through the skin, resulting in an open wound, ORIF surgery should be performed as soon as possible to avoid infection. Treatment for a fibula fracture depends on the severity of the injury. Tibia fracture vs. How long does it take for a fibula stress fracture to heal? When the fibula is subjected to more stress than it can withstand, it can result in a hairline or complete fracture. Having had one fracture can increase your risk for another. Read more: First aid for broken bones and fractures . For example, with lateral malleolus break, the ankle joint isnt damaged in any way, but with a bimalleolar ankle break, the fibula and ankle are both damaged. Our goal will be to build strength and endurance so you can resume your everyday activities. Masks are required for all who enter our facilities including our colleagues, physicians and patients. Bleeding, bruising, or swelling at the area of the fracture, Signs of deformity in case of complete fracture, Damage to the nerves and blood vessels during injury or surgery, Trauma-induced arthritis or degenerative arthritis. Its also important to take steps to reduce your risk for another injury or fracture. Playing basketball or skiing also can cause fibula fractures. You will likely have to use crutches or a knee scooter for a number of weeks during the recovery process so you dont put too much weight on the break. If they refuse to settle your claim despite all of the compelling evidence, you can take them to court. Can you break your fibula and still walk? But the time flies by much faster once you feel like youre starting to make progress because each day gets a little easier and you can start to see the light at the end of the tunnel. Not only is it painful to rest your weight on a fractured fibula, but its also not advised as a method of self-diagnosis. Everything You Need to Know About a Tibia Fracture, What You Should Know About Buckle Fractures, Lateral Collateral Ligament Sprain and Injury, pain that gets worse when putting pressure on the leg, tingling or numbness, which usually happens if there is a neurovascular injury, cleaning the wound to avoid contamination and infection, stabilizing the wound to keep bones in place before surgery, getting imaging tests to see what type of surgery is needed, determining whether antibiotics are needed to prevent infection, the severity of the injury and the presence of any other injury at the same time, how well you can follow your doctors orders, the amount of time spent on physical therapy, any underlying conditions that may affect healing. Once the area has healed, individuals can stretch and strengthen weakened joints with the help of a physical therapist. Make sure youre getting enough calories and protein. We may recommend a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug to relieve pain. The. A physical therapist will evaluate each person individually to determine the best treatment plan. The fibula bone bears only 15 to 20% of the body weight. The tibia bears approximately 80% of the body weight. Remember to talk with your team of health providers if your symptoms get worse or if recovery is going slower than expected. A fibula fracture is used to describe a break in the fibula bone. Replace old shoes when necessary. For internal fixations, your doctor will place metal implants inside the broken bone to hold the fracture together while it heals. Add grab bars to showers and railways near stairways, if needed. Ive bookmarked your site and Im adding your RSS feeds to my Google account. In contrast to the tibia, a broken fibula recovery time will be one to two months if there are no complications. Also known as a tib fib fracture, the injury is usually caused by severe trauma resulting from car crashes, sports injuries or falls. StatPearls Publishing. While the fibula is the smaller of two lower leg bones (the other is the tibia), it is somewhat vulnerable in contact sports such as football, soccer, or lacrosse. Always speak to your doctor before acting and in cases of emergency seek Is the ketogenic diet right for autoimmune conditions? An experienced broken fibula lawyer can assess your damages, write an effective demand letter to the defendants insurance company, and negotiate the compensation you deserve. Surgery. (2015, September 30). A computed tomography (CT) scan can also be useful in determining healing, especially in bones where the fracture line was initially hard to see. Pain the starts about a week after an increase in training or intensity. My next appointment is in a week and I expect to be turned loose for the final stage of walking with nothing on my ankle and working on getting the rest of that mobility in my ankle back. Attempting to rush the process against your doctors advice will only result in furthering your recovery time. However, in most cases involving a broken fibula, it will take at least twice that amount of time, if not longer. The goal of treating closed fractures is to put the bone back in place, control the pain, give the fracture time to heal, prevent complications, and restore normal function. Once the area has healed, individuals can stretch and strengthen weakened joints with the help of a physical therapist. Changes in gait, such as limping, feeling unstable, or walking in a different way. If you do require additional treatment to realign your bones, your doctor may recommend: Seek emergency medical attention if you have an open fracture. The fibula bone is not a weight-bearing bone, and your doctor may allow you to walk on the injured leg while it is healing. In most cases, the answer is no. You can still perform gentle leg stretches with that single leg. I started walking on it at the 3 week mark but my advise to you is don't walk through the pain. can't get into my ortho dr. Had orif surgery to stabilize fibula 2 mos ago and am transitioning to a walking boot and 1 hr/day on recumbent bike, is swelling normal? Dial(404) 855-2141to schedule a consultation or learn more about our approach to treatment or a complete examination to kick start the recovery process. No mention of a boot but who knows. You also might be advised to use crutches, avoiding weight on the leg, until the bone heals because of the fibula's role in ankle stability. Asloum, Y., Bedin, B., Roger, T., Charissoux, J. L., Arnaud, J. P., & Mabit, C. (2014, June). https://patient.info/forums/discuss/broken-fibula-when-can-i-walk--668629. It does you no good to try to tough it out. When there is a concern about a possible tibial shaft fracture, an X-ray will be obtained to determine if the bone is damaged. We will order x-rays to determine the nature and extent of the injury. An open reduction and internal fixation with plate and screws may be necessary to stabilize the fracture. You can't walk on a broken fibula. Theyll also look to see when they can remove the screws, if you have them. While not all fractures are preventable, taking steps to reduce your risk can go a long way. In some cases, broken bones do not grow back together, a condition called nonunion. I kept the crutches handy. Do I need a cast for a broken fibula? I cannot wait until I can drive again (broke my driving leg). A 17-year-old boy went to a nearby cycle repair shop to have his bike repaired. To prevent fibula fractures in the future, individuals who participate in high-risk sports should wear the appropriate safety equipment. The fibula and tibia are the two long bones of the lower leg. Use of the forums is subject to our Terms of Use You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our. What is the best way to treat an avulsion fracture in a young athlete? Ignoring the pain can lead to serious problems in the future, so it is important to see your doctor when you start feeling the pain. Please note, we cannot prescribe controlled substances, diet pills, antipsychotics, or other abusable medications. A broken fibula often starts immobilization. As your healing progresses, we will work with you and your physician to design a program to increase your strength and range of motion, and improve flexibility. The fibular head fracture occurs at the top part of the fibula near the knee joint. If you read about the bone healing process, you may want to think again - be careful, I did need surgery and have only this week, 14, been cleared to walk in a boot just a little, you don't want to end up like me lol! Commitment to the physical therapy plan is key to effective healing. This should only be done under doctor . These include: With rest and rehabilitation, fractures generally dont develop complications. Everything I have read and heard says it is a long time and to be patient.. In a closed fracture, the bone is broken, but the skin remains intact. His fibula and tibia were shattered, necessitating extensive surgery. 2010 Sep;18(9):546-56. Ive done this and feel that Ive progressed very well but it has to come in stages and you have to be patient. Attempting to rush the process against your doctors advice will only result in furthering your recovery time. If rest was guaranteed, the fractured fibula and tibia recovery would be complete in one to three months. You have to wait until it is healed, and not broken anymore. Dont worrythis is normal. STARS Physical Therapy | Saint Alphonsus Rehabilitation Services, Spinal Fractures Dont Have to Be Back Breakers. Tenderness directly on the bone. Depending on the extent of the fracture or break, surgery may be the most appropriate option to fully recover from a break in your fibula. I know each persons healing process is a little different but I hope my experience helps you. Treatment depends on how severe the fracture is, the type, and where the injury is. Walking with care and exercise to the ankle joint will smooth the ankle's range of motion. Carelessness will cause the broken fibula to misalign. Because the fibula is not a weight-bearing bone, your doctor might allow you walk as the injury recovers. The knee is the largest and most complex joint in the body, holding together the thigh bone, shin bone, fibula (on the outer side of the shin), and, Patellofemoral pain syndrome is a condition that involves pain around the knee or the kneecap. Metal implants will be required to repair the shattered fibula. This takes approximately 6 to 8 weeks to heal, although pain and swelling can continue for three to six months. I have two kids, my house is gross, and they are close to no help without arguing because they are accustom to a mommy that caters to themroll my eyes! I know it sucks to keep those crutches but its worth it. 7 users are following. Because the fibula is not a weight-bearing bone, your doctor might allow you walk as the injury recovers. The most important thing patients can do to recover from a broken fibula is allow themselves to rest and relax during the recovery process. I'm not sure if I get a boot after the cast comes off. We know you have more important things to do than have people sign a cast! How to Heal Quickly from a Stress Fracture? Common symptoms of a fibula fracture. Pain and swelling can be ongoing for 3-6 months. In severe cases, metal screws and rods will be placed outside the skin to keep the broken bone in place. Nonunions happen when the bone lacks adequate stability and/or blood flow. Yes it hurt if I tried too much. Be careful, people I have spoken to who have been through it or other doctors and nurses etc have always said do what your advised. Thank you for your reply. Invest in a specialized pillow, like a body pillow, for elevationkeeping the broken bone above your heart prevents blood from pooling and causing swelling. 2014;48(5):445-52. doi:10.4103/0019-5413.139829. The length of recovery is not the same for everyone. Hsu H, Nallamothu S. Ankle Splinting. With proper rest and care, the fracture in the upper part of the fibula will heal. Once the body is able to walk comfortably, running and biking, and all of the activities that were enjoyed before the fracture, will soon be enjoyed again. I have now started walking around home with a naked ankle. However, because the broken fibula near the ankle is complicated, it will necessitate surgery, additional care, and protective boots. How long until i can walk again after surgery from a broken fibula? You also might be advised to use crutches, avoiding weight on the leg, until the bone heals because of the fibula's role in ankle stability. Whats the Difference Between a Fracture and a Break? In an open fracture, either the bone pokes through the skin and can be seen or a deep wound exposes the bone through the skin. Yeah I've read stories of people reinjuring by not following directions. Your first move if youre feeling pain in the ankle should be to call the clinic. To learn more, please visit our. Can you still walk with a broken fibula? still painful to walk with airboot. Treatment for a fibula fracture can vary and depends greatly on how severe the break is. This type of fracture can also occur indirectly such as with a high-energy twisting type of injury. With that said, here are the best ski boots of the ski season, broken down into categories so you can find the right option for you. The therapist may take several measurements to judge the individuals condition. Feigenbaum LA, Baraga M, Kaplan LD, et al. For those of you that are suffering from a broken fibula and are itching to get back in the game, there are certainly no or low-impact exercises that can keep you in shape and active even while you are still recovering from your fibula injury. The break may occur anywhere from your ankle to your knee. Can you share more like this? If a stress fracture is not treated, the fracture may get worse. Fracture at the joint caused by external rotation. The treatment and healing will be easy since the fibular head and lateral malleolus are intact. STARS Physical Therapy | Saint Alphonsus Rehabilitation Services. During the appointments, the physical therapist may incorporate a variety of treatment methods such as Astym Treatment, which helps to reduce soft tissue (muscle and tendon) pain through the elimination of scar tissue and the regeneration of the soft tissue; the Graston Technique, which also helps to reduce and eliminate scar tissue to better the bodys range of motion; exercises which helps to strengthen the bone and surrounding area; and the most commonly used technique, manual therapy, a hands on therapy. If it still hurts I would definitely get it checked as the last thing you need is it to have moved, hopefully though it will be fine. The fibula is the calf bone that sits beneath the tibia (shin bone) and succors it in weight-bearing. The two bones help to stabilize and support the ankle and lower leg muscles. It runs parallel to the tibia, a larger bone that also forms the shin, and attaches the ankle and knee joint. given walking boot and crutches. The pain and suffering you have endured, as well as the treatment costs, lost wages, extensive surgery costs, rehabilitation costs, loss of social enjoyment, and so on, are all recoverable. Youd see me carrying them into work lol because if the day became too long I would revert back to partial weight bearing to keep from doing too much at once. I'm worried she may have done something to it so I'm definitely not going to put any further stress on it now! Work Your Arms With Dumbbells good sign? However, the fibula contributes to ankle stability, and you may have to use crutches to avoid putting weight on the leg until the ankle bones are healed. These fractures are caused by repetitive activities, such as running. Patient is a UK registered trade mark. Floor workouts movements such as planks and push-ups can help you break a sweat without prolonging your recovery process. Can you still walk with a broken fibula?
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