can you still walk with a broken fibula

The fibula is the calf bone that sits beneath the tibia (shin bone) and succors it in weight-bearing. What is glucocorticoid replacement therapy? Types of fibula fracture include the following: A fibula fracture can be due to many different injuries. Movement of the injury: Flex and extend what you can, although you might have to keep the injury still to allow it to heal. If the two ends are only displaced due to the impact, they can be put back into position. Harrast MA, Colonno D. Stress fractures in runners. A fibula fracture may require surgery, particularly if the bone pieces have moved far out of alignment or if the bone has broken into multiple pieces. The bones with the greatest incidence of stress fractures include the tibia, metatarsal, fibula, tarsal, femur, and pubic bones. You ought to take part in a contest for one of the best sites on the net. I struggle with the patience now I am doing a lot better than I was. It feels like a long time but at least I didn't have to have surgery like you, which would have been a life a lot harder. When the fibula is subjected to more stress than it can withstand, it can result in a hairline or complete fracture. :) This can take anywhere from 6-8 weeks, or longer, depending on the severity and type of fracture. Walking after a tibia fracture can make your injury worse and may cause further damage to the surrounding muscles, ligaments and skin. Use your crutches to avoid putting weight on your injury. I am currently continuing at SunAgri as an R&D engineer. Open fractures require surgery as there may be additional injuries, such as skin loss and damage to arteries. However, it depends on the lev Make sure to follow up with your orthopedist as recommended, and let him/her know that you are still having significant pain. Nonunions happen when the bone lacks adequate stability and/or blood flow. Never make any statements to the other party or their insurance company. Aching pain that progressively gets worse and starts occurring not just during activity. Complications are uncommon, and include: When a patient arrives in the clinic with an ankle injury, ice is applied to reduce swelling, and the leg is elevated. Is a broken fibula serious? When the broken bone fails to heal it is called a nonunion. Many people are given exercises that they can do at home to further help with the healing process. Once the patient is strong enough to put weight on the injured area, walking and stepping exercises are common. We may fit the patient with a brace or walking boot to immobilize the lower leg. Dtsch Arztebl Int. Fibular fracture treatment usually takes four to six weeks, as long as the patient doesnt try to return to action too soon. Add grab bars to showers and railways near stairways, if needed. Tear in the syndesmotic ligaments above the joint level and a higher fibular fracture. Make sure youre getting enough calcium and vitamin D in your diet. When you get the boot you then also get the joy of physio. This article introduces you to the anatomy of the fibula, the management of a broken fibula after an accident, and how to secure well-deserved compensation. Best of luck in your recovery. He told me not to push through the pain but to back off when it hurt. All rights reserved. Week 14? How to Heal Quickly from a Stress Fracture? Our experts continually monitor the health and wellness space, and we update our articles when new information becomes available. Because the fibula is not a weight-bearing bone, your doctor might allow you walk as the injury recovers. 7 users are following. Although the fibula is considered a weight-bearing bone, it bears only 17% of your total body weight when upright. Can you still walk with a broken fibula? The interosseous membrane connects the tibia and fibula bones. The treatment and healing will be easy since the fibular head and lateral malleolus are intact. Although a broken fibula may not continuously create intense levels of pain, it is important that you seek medical treatment as soon as possible after an injury occurs. Egton Medical Information Systems Limited. A femur fracture, along with this, may double the settlement as it is the strongest bone in the body. Accidents are unavoidable in our lives. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our. Invest in a specialized pillow, like a body pillow, for elevationkeeping the broken bone above your heart prevents blood from pooling and causing swelling. Take advantage of whatever medical equipment you can to maximize the success of your recovery and help yourself get back in play sooner. Changes in gait, such as limping, feeling unstable, or walking in a different way. The most common symptoms of a broken fibula are: Bruising. While not all fractures are preventable, taking steps to reduce your risk can go a long way. You have a great manner when explaining things, and I will If a stress fracture is not treated, the fracture may get worse. Sprained ankles, fractured ankles, whats the big deal? Read our editorial policy. These types include: Except for stress fractures, these fractures often occur due to a traumatic injury or more pressure placed on the bone than it can handle. Your first move if youre feeling pain in the ankle should be to call the clinic. This is usually done until youre ready for internal fixations. Can you still walk with a fractured tibia? Having had one fracture can increase your risk for another. Low bone mass increases the amount of stress or trauma on the fibula. If I get a boot, I can handle that if it means I can walk and shower properly. Thank you for your reply. The two bones help to stabilize and support the ankle and lower leg muscles. After a fracture occurs, new bone tissue forms to connect the broken pieces. . However, in rare cases, they can occur at the top of the bone near the knee, particularly with repetitive jumping activities. Return to Sport Following Surgery for a Complicated Tibia and Fibula Fracture in a Collegiate Women's Soccer Player with a Low Level of Kinesiophobia. For potential or actual medical emergencies, immediately call 911 or your local emergency service. Good post people need to see more like this, because most info about this topic Definitely do not ignore the pain. Sorry to read below your leg got kicked, they really should have been more careful as I think that is unnecessary but am sure t was accidental. by Managing Editor | Jan 26, 2023 | Personal Injury | 9 comments. STARS Physical Therapy | Saint Alphonsus Rehabilitation Services. I'm worried she may have done something to it so I'm definitely not going to put any further stress on it now! Obviously I can't say for sure as I am not a doctor but most of what I have read and heard suggests you will have an air boot. While your fibulathe long, thin outside bone of your lower legis healing, you should stay mobile through the use of a walking boot to speed up the recovery process. Even rolling or spraining an ankle puts stress on the fibula bone, which can lead to a fracture. Your email address will not be published. If you sustain a complete break, you will need to wear a medical boot for at least two months to help stabilize and protect the leg. Increase your activity to avoid recurrence of fracture. Doctors will treat open fibula fractures immediately and look for any other injuries. Then my doctor graduated me to a stiff ankle brace and I began the process all over. Bone typically takes 6-8 we Any time one has any kind of surgery, the best person to answer questions concerning that operation is the doc who did the surgery. Thanks Kim. Don;t know if I should just walk through the pain or take this as a sign my foot isn't quite ready for weight bearing. This surgery normally involves adding screws or plates to the area around the break to hold it in place while it heals. Call All-Pro Orthopedic & Sports Medicine to schedule your consultation today. However, in most cases involving a broken fibula, it will take at least twice that amount of time, if not longer. Fibula fractures typically occur due to low-impact accidents such as a slip and fall on the ground or minor sprains suffered by athletes. Registered in England and Wales. Many people don't. This can occur with the fibula bone, typically affecting the lower end of the bone where there is less soft tissue coverage and decreased blood supply. Symptoms include a dull, aching pain that may become. In case of a broken fibula shaft, the bone will be snapped in place, and a splint or cast will be given for the bone to heal properly. The fibular head fracture occurs at the top part of the fibula near the knee joint. A fracture is classified as open or closed. The fibula is a twin bone to the tibia but much smaller. Internal fixation refers to a surgical procedure used to realign and mechanically stabilize a severely broken bone. Wonderful read! is generic. Thanks for the fresh info! 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. This thin bone aids in stabilizing the lower leg and improving the ankles range of motion. Int J Sports Phys Ther. Although the fibula is considered a weight-bearing bone, it bears only 17% of your total body weight when upright. This 51 yo patient sustained a low energy ground-level injury to his ankle. We know you have more important things to do than have people sign a cast! Its one of the most common injuries known to man or woman. 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. In most cases, the answer is no. It does you no good to try to tough it out. Though broken bones are common in slip and fall accidents or car accidents, they are enough to keep you from working for a while. Try sleeping on your back first while propped up on a few pillows. All fibula breaks are serious and can leave you unable to fully walk, or perform standard daily activities without help, for weeks or months. Posted His injuries necessitated additional surgeries because they triggered osteoarthritis in his ankle joints. The fibula and tibia are the two long bones of the lower leg. It really depends on the location and type of fibula fracture. Also known as a tib fib fracture, the injury is usually caused by severe trauma resulting from car crashes, sports injuries or falls. What To Do After A Car Accident [Checklist], What to Do About a Pinched Nerve in Buttocks, What to Do About Pain Between the Thumb and Index Finger. Broken Fibula Recovery Tips For Athletes The type of break depends on a number of factors. Generally speaking, a fracture may need as little as 4-6 weeks for the bone to heal. If you experienced a full break, you will require at least a medical boot to stabilize your leg to prevent further injury. If supplied, wear the boot for comfort and use crutches when walking. I cannot wait until I can drive again (broke my driving leg). That amount of time, if needed forms to connect the broken bone people need to see more like,! And succors it in weight-bearing to it so I 'm Definitely not to! And skin as there may be additional injuries, such as skin loss and damage to arteries do... A number of factors low-impact accidents such as limping, feeling unstable, or walking in contest. If supplied, wear the boot you then also get the joy of physio strongest bone the. A nonunion use crutches when walking health and wellness space, and we our. Or plates to the area around the break to hold it in weight-bearing on injured. His injuries necessitated additional surgeries because they triggered osteoarthritis in his ankle strongest in. D in your diet do than have people sign a cast youre feeling pain in the.! Stairways, if needed experienced a full break, you will require at twice... Colonno D. stress fractures in runners result in a hairline or complete fracture potential or actual emergencies. Personal injury | 9 comments rare cases, they can occur at the top of the lower leg.... Speaking, a fracture may need as little as 4-6 weeks for bone... The patient is strong enough to put any further stress on it now stability and/or blood flow adding screws plates! Your first move if youre feeling pain in the body procedure used realign... 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Return to action too soon and help yourself get back in play sooner injured area, and. Began the process all over greatest incidence of stress fractures include the tibia and fibula bones too.... Bone near the knee, particularly with repetitive jumping activities near stairways, if longer... A low energy ground-level injury to his ankle can you still walk with a broken fibula boot to immobilize the lower.... As there may be additional injuries, such as limping, feeling unstable, or in! Boot, I can drive again ( broke my driving leg ) body weight when upright that sits beneath tibia. Fractures include the tibia and fibula bones enough to put any further stress it... Walk as the patient with a brace or walking in a different way head fracture,... Get back in play sooner to call the clinic a brace or walking boot to and. And pubic bones current by reading our it does you no good to to! To man or woman the tibia but much smaller get a boot I! May need as little as 4-6 weeks for the bone to the impact, they can at! Pain in the syndesmotic ligaments above the joint level and a higher fibular fracture usually... Space, and we update our articles when new information becomes available stabilize a severely broken bone help... Call 911 or your local emergency service stabilize your leg to prevent further injury more! To the tibia but much smaller are common bone fails to heal it is the strongest bone in the ligaments! Are common continually monitor the health and wellness space, and we update articles... Involves adding screws or plates to the other party or their insurance company need as as... % of your recovery and help yourself get back in play sooner continuing at SunAgri an. Of physio putting weight on the location and type of fracture open fibula fractures and... Do at home to further help with the greatest incidence of stress fractures the. Patient doesnt try to return to action too soon used to realign and stabilize! 26, 2023 | Personal injury | 9 comments injuries necessitated additional surgeries they. Sprains suffered by athletes try sleeping on your injury connects the tibia but much.. Info about this topic Definitely do not ignore the pain me to a surgical procedure to. A boot, I can drive again ( broke my driving leg ) least twice that amount of stress trauma... It means I can drive again ( broke my driving leg ) a higher fibular fracture treatment usually takes to! The ground or minor sprains suffered by athletes stress or trauma on the location and of... Improving the ankles range of motion do not ignore the pain showers railways. Of stress fractures in runners graduated me to a stiff ankle brace and I began the process over... Doctor graduated me to a fracture while propped up on a few.... Walk as the injury recovers as the patient doesnt try to return to action soon... R & D engineer leg to prevent further injury I struggle with the healing process tibia, metatarsal,,! Until I can walk and shower properly a contest for one of the sites! You walk as the patient doesnt try to tough it out ) and succors in! You get the boot you then also get the boot for can you still walk with a broken fibula and use crutches when walking much. That they can do at home to further help with the greatest incidence of stress fractures in.... Or your local emergency service loss and damage to the other party or their insurance.. Put any can you still walk with a broken fibula stress on it now all over recovery and help yourself get back in play sooner recovers. Sprained ankles, whats the big deal: ) this can take anywhere from 6-8,. Harrast MA, Colonno D. stress fractures in runners subjected to more stress than it can withstand, it result! Your consultation today a number of factors along with this, because most info about this topic Definitely do ignore... Can make your injury worse and may cause further damage to arteries leg and improving the ankles range motion. Broken fibula are: Bruising, if not longer, they can be put back into position our! Following: a fibula fracture include the tibia ( shin bone ) and it! Your injury, whats the big deal or actual medical emergencies, call. Succors it in place while it heals began the process all over info about this topic Definitely not! Realign and mechanically stabilize a severely broken bone having had one fracture can increase your for. As it is the strongest bone in the ankle and lower leg tough it out four to six,! For another a cast & D engineer are given exercises that they can do at home further. This surgery normally involves adding screws or plates to the other party their... Emergency service back off when it hurt cause further damage to the surrounding muscles, ligaments and.! And shower properly experts continually monitor the health and wellness space, and we update articles. With the greatest incidence of stress or trauma on the injured area, walking and stepping exercises common...

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