If You Break Your Fibula, What Is Treatment Like?
- Immobilization and Rest. Stress fractures of the fibula — microfractures caused by repetitive stress, rather than sudden force — are treated with immobilization and rest.
- Closed Reduction of Fibula Fracture. Closed reduction describes realignment of the ends of a broken bone without surgery. ...
- Internal Fixation Surgery. ...
- Failure to Heal. ...
What is the healing time for a broken fibula?
Ice – The coolness of the ice will help reduce the swelling that will occur after a broken fibula injury. Compression – A compression wrap will help support the injured leg and reduce swelling, while a medical boot can also help support the leg and reduce the risk of harm to the injured area.
How long does it take for a fibula fracture to heal?
May 18, 2021 · Conservative treatment is indicated for isolated distal fibula fractures with a stable ankle mortise. As far as fracture displacement is concerned, Lesic et al [ 56] set 2 mm as the threshold between conservative and surgical treatment.
Can you walk if you have a broken fibula?
Fracture home tips Rest the fractured bone and elevate it while it’s in the cast. Use your crutches to avoid putting weight on your injury. Consume a diet high in nutrients such as vitamin D, calcium, and zinc for bone recovery. Make sure you’re getting enough calories and protein. Perform upper ...
What happens when you break your tibia and fibula?
Apr 18, 2019 · Treatment for a fibula fracture depends on the severity of the injury. Tips Fibula fractures are often treated with immobilization to allow the bone to heal. Immobilization and Rest Stress fractures of the fibula — microfractures caused by repetitive stress, rather than sudden force — are treated with immobilization and rest.
Can you still walk with a broken fibula?
Because the fibula is not a weight-bearing bone, your doctor might allow you walk as the injury recovers. 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.
How long does it take to heal a broken fibula?
For minor fibula fractures or breaks, it may only take about six weeks to make a full recovery. However, in most cases involving a broken fibula, it will take at least twice that amount of time, if not longer.Feb 23, 2018
Do you need a cast for a broken fibula?
If your child has a broken tibia or broken tibia-fibula, they will need to wear a cast or boot for six to 12 weeks. During this time, they will probably have a long leg cast for six weeks followed by a short leg cast and then an Aircast® boot.
Can a fibula fracture heal on its own?
While isolated fibula fractures usually heal quickly, some complex injuries may need further treatment. That's why it's critical for a medical professional familiar with fibula fractures to evaluate your injury and make sure you get the right treatment.Jun 12, 2020
Is a fibula fracture serious?
Fibular fractures are usually treated as emergencies. You should visit a doctor if you suspect you have such a fracture. Call 911 or your local emergency helpline number if there's been a high-energy injury such as a motor vehicle accident or gunshot wound.May 25, 2021
How long do you wear a boot for a broken fibula?
Orthopedic boots protect broken bones and other injuries of the lower leg, ankle, or foot. They prevent more damage and help the area heal. Your doctor may have you use a boot for 1 to 6 weeks.
How do you sleep with a broken fibula?
Invest in a specialized pillow, like a body pillow, for elevation—keeping the broken bone above your heart prevents blood from pooling and causing swelling. Try sleeping on your back first while propped up on a few pillows.Jul 24, 2017
How do you tell if your fibula is broken?
Pain, swelling, and tenderness are some of the most common signs and symptoms of a fractured fibula. Other signs and symptoms include: Inability to bear weight on the injured leg. Bleeding and bruising in the leg.
What's the difference between a fracture and a break?
There's no difference between a fracture and a break. A fracture is any loss of continuity of the bone. Anytime the bone loses integrity—whether it's a hairline crack barely recognizable on an X-ray or the shattering of bone into a dozen pieces—it's considered a fracture.Nov 15, 2019
How long does it take for a bone fracture to heal?
As the bone fractures, it bleeds causing inflammation. The blood or hematoma (blood clot) enters in the space between the two fractured fragments to initiate healing or the repair process. The inflammatory phase takes 5 days and the repair phase takes 40 days.
How long does it take for a bone to remodel?
In this phase, the bone remodels itself into its original size and regain its strength properties. This phase takes 100 days.
What are the phases of bone healing?
When a bone fractures, the body starts to heal it. There are 3 phases of bone healing; inflammation phase, repair phase, and remodeling phase.
What is touch weight bearing?
Touch weight bearing is when the foot and toes are touching the floor. It gives the muscles of the leg a break from holding the leg up. It also helps the leg to accustom to minimal weight bearing.
How to repair a fibula?
Surgery on the Fibula. The most common way to repair a fractured fibula bone is with a metal plate and screws. Typically a plate is applied to the outside of the bone, with several screws above the location of the fracture, and several screws below.
What are the symptoms of a fibula fracture?
The most common symptoms associated with the fibula fracture include: Pain directly over the fibula bone (outside of the leg) Swelling in the area of the fracture.
Why does my fibula hurt?
In some people, particularly long-distance runners 7 or hikers, the fibula may be injured as a result of repetitive stress. This type of injury is known as a stress fracture. The pain of a stress fracture may begin gradually. Usually, the pain worsens with increasing levels of activity and is relieved by rest.
What is the fibula?
A fibula fracture occurs when there is an injury to the smaller of the two bones of the lower leg (the segment between the knee and ankle), the fibula. The larger bone of the lower leg, the tibia, carries most of the body weight. The smaller bone, the fibula, is located on the outside of the leg.
Where is the fibular bone?
The fibular bone starts just below the knee joint on the outside of the leg and extends all the way down to the ankle joint. The bone is a long, thin bone.
What are the complications of fibula surgery?
Common complications associated with surgery for treatment of a fibula fracture can be related to the incision and the underlying hardware. 9 Because there is very little soft tissue between the skin and the bone, problems related to wound healing, infection, and painful hardware are common surgical complications.
What is the term for a fractured ankle joint?
In these situations, called bimalleolar ankle fractures, surgery is usually necessary to stabilize the ankle joint.
How long does it take to heal a fibula fracture?
Recovery and home care. 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. Recovery time depends on factors such as: the severity of the injury and the presence of any other injury at the same time.
Where does a fibula fracture occur?
Fibula fractures occur around the ankle, knee, and middle of the leg. There are different types of fractures, which can also affect treatment and recovery. These types include: shaft fracture, a break that often affects the middle of the leg due to direct impact.
Why do you need surgery for an open fracture?
Open fractures require surgery as there may be additional injuries, such as skin loss and damage to arteries. Your doctor will focus on: 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.
What is the function of the fibula?
The fibula helps stabilize and support your leg, body, ankle, and leg muscles. It runs parallel to the tibia, a larger bone that also forms the shin, and attaches the ankle and knee joint. The fibula only carries 17 percent of the body’s weight. A fibula fracture happens when more pressure is put on the bone than it can handle.
What is a fibular head fracture?
fibular head fracture, a break near the knee. avulsion fracture, a fracture in which a small part of the bone gets pulled off. stress fracture, a hairline fracture due to repetitive injury. shaft fracture, a break that often affects the middle of the leg due to direct impact.
How long does it take for a fractured bone to heal?
After an injury, it can take up to 12-16 weeks to make a full recovery. Your doctor will use X-rays to see how well your fracture is healing. They’ll also look to see when they can remove the screws, if you have them.
What to do if you have a fracture?
Your doctor will physically examine you for signs and may order an X-ray, which will show the break. For fractures that need more precise imaging, your doctor may order a CT scan to see how severe the injury is.
What is the procedure to fix a fibula?
Internal Fixation Surgery. 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. Internal fixation refers to a surgical procedure used to realign and mechanically stabilize a severely broken bone. A broken ankle may be stabilized with a screw ...
What causes fibula fractures?
Stress fractures of the fibula — microfractures caused by repetitive stress, rather than sudden force — are treated with immobilization and rest. These fractures are caused by repetitive activities, such as running. Stress fracture typically affect the bottom of the fibula, the large prominence on the outside of the ankle.
What causes a fracture in the lower leg?
Lower leg fractures can occur from trauma, falls, sports injuries or overuse. Fractures of the fibula bone — the smaller of the two bones of the lower leg — can be minor hairline cracks or severe enough to interfere with your ability to bear weight and walk. Treatment for a fibula fracture depends on the severity of the injury.
Can broken bones grow back together?
In some cases, broken bones do not grow back together, a condition called nonunion. 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.
What is closed reduction?
Closed reduction describes realignment of the ends of a broken bone without surgery. If the broken ends are close to their proper position, an orthopedic doctor uses her hands to realign the broken ends of your fibula bone to allow it to grow back together. A cast may be applied to keep the bones in place as they heal.
How to stabilize a broken ankle?
A broken ankle may be stabilized with a screw or a plate and screws. K-wires — flexible metal wires — are also used to hold broken bones together to provide stability and allow them to heal. Read more: Diet to Improve Healing of Bone Fractures.
How to treat nonunion?
Nonunion can be treated conservatively with electrical stimulation and magnetic devices, or it may require surgery. The area of bone that was fractured may be removed or surgically stabilized with a plate. Bone grafting may be required to fill the space where the bone has not healed. References.
How to heal a broken fibula?
Attempting to rush the process against your doctor’s advice will only result in furthering your recovery time. Still, your doctor may recommend physical therapy and a few low-impact exercises that can help stretch and strengthen the injured leg. Some of the most common activities recommended to patients with a broken fibula include the following: 1 Yoga techniques that can be performed while seated or lying down 2 Swimming routines that provide cardio support without exposing your body to impact 3 Free weights that focus on strengthening back, chest, and arm muscles 4 Floor workouts that focus on supporting the core muscles 5 Any exercise that does not require you to put weight on your injured leg.
How long does it take to recover from a fibula fracture?
Any exercise that does not require you to put weight on your injured leg. For minor fibula fractures or breaks, it may only take about six weeks to make a full recovery. However, in most cases involving a broken fibula, it will take at least twice that amount of time, if not longer.
What are some exercises to help with back pain?
Yoga techniques that can be performed while seated or lying down. Swimming routines that provide cardio support without exposing your body to impact. Free weights that focus on strengthening back, chest, and arm muscles. Floor workouts that focus on supporting the core muscles.
Can a broken fibula cause pain?
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. The chances of prolonging the recovery process, experiencing a relapse, or developing particular impairments as a result of not healing properly increases without immediate attention. You are likely to find it very difficult to walk and stand for long periods of time with a broken fibula, so it’s not a condition you can easily ignore.
Can you break your fibula?
There are a number of different ways you can fracture or break your fibula. The break may occur anywhere from your ankle to your knee. Many athletes break their fibula, although it can happen from slipping, stepping into a hole, or many other common issues. The type of break depends on a number of factors. For example, with lateral malleolus break, ...
How to prevent fibula fracture?
However, you may be able to lower your risk of a fibula fracture by: Getting weight-bearing exercise, which will help strengthen your bones and the muscles that support and protect your bones and joints.
How long does it take to heal a broken fibula?
Broken fibula fracture recovery time ranges from several weeks to several months.
What are the bones of the lower leg?
There are two lower leg bones—the tibia and the fibula. The tibia bone—the larger of the two bones—sits in the front of leg forming the shin. The fibula bone is on the outside of the lower leg. The upper end of the fibular bone sits at the outside of your knee. The lower end forms the bony bump on the outside of your ankle.
What is the bone on the outside of the ankle called?
A broken fibula can happen anywhere along the bone. However, it is a common ankle injury called a distal fibula fracture. Like most broken bones, trauma is the main cause of a fibula fracture.
What is the difference between a stable fracture and a displaced fracture?
The most common types of bone fractures include: Stable fracture means the bone ends are close together. A cast or splint is usually the only treatment necessary. Displaced fracture means the bone ends are out of place. Treatment starts with putting the bones back together so they can heal.
What is compound fracture?
Surgery is usually necessary to reassemble the bone pieces. Open or compound fracture means there is an opening in the skin near the fracture.
What to do if you see a broken bone?
Seek immediate medical care (dial 911) if you see the bone sticking through the skin, a symptom of an open or compound fracture.
How to heal a fibula?
The physical therapist will demonstrate exercises that keep the blood flowing and help the tissues heal. The following are considered safe and appropriate for fibular rehab: 1 grasp your foot and pull the foot towards you until you feel a gentle stretching at the top of the foot and ankle 2 sitting with your ankle crossed over the opposite knee, push your foot downward and rotate it slightly 3 while seated, imagine your big toe is a pen and write the alphabet in the air
What to do if you break your leg?
If your fracture or break was severe enough, you will need surgery to realign and support your leg throughout a healthy recovery. Achieving this care as soon as possible prevents the bone from further misalignment and gets the patient on the right track for a full recovery. buy steroids online.
How to do the alphabet in the air?
grasp your foot and pull the foot towards you until you feel a gentle stretching at the top of the foot and ankle. sitting with your ankle crossed over the opposite knee, push your foot downward and rotate it slightly. while seated, imagine your big toe is a pen and write the alphabet in the air.
Can you recover from a broken fibula?
Broken Fibula Recovery Tips For Athletes. 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.
Clinical significance
Function
- The larger bone of the lower leg, the tibia, carries most of the body weight. The smaller bone, the fibula, is located on the outside of the leg.
Structure
- The fibular bone starts just below the knee joint on the outside of the leg and extends all the way down to the ankle joint. The bone is a long, thin bone, hollow in its center. While the bone does little to support the weight of the body, it is a critical site of attachment for ligaments at both the knee and the ankle joint and is also connected to the tibia bone by a thick ligament called the sy…
Types
- These are not the only types of injury that can occur to the fibula but account for the vast majority of injury to the fibula bone. By far the most common are injuries that occur when the ankle joint is damaged. Typically, the ankle buckles or is twisted and the fibula is damaged as part of the injury.
Diagnosis
- Diagnosis of a fibular fracture can typically be made with an X-ray image. Other imaging studies such as MRI or CT scan are typically not necessary, but there are some situations where a fibular fracture may not show up on a regular X-ray. These situations include injuries such as stress fractures (described below). Your physician will examine the site of the injury, and also examine …
Treatment
- Isolated fibular fractures, when the ankle joint is unaffected, often can be treated with simple protection. Known as a \"lateral malleolus fracture,\" these injuries occur when the ankle twists or bends awkwardly and the inner (medial) side of the ankle is unaffected. In these situations, a brace is sufficient to support the ankle. Crutches are of...
Risks
- The most common complications associated with surgery for treatment of a fibula fracture are related to the incision and the underlying hardware. Because there is very little soft tissue between the skin and the bone, wound healing problems, infection, and painful hardware are by far the most common surgical complications. Wound healing complications are most worrisome in …
Prevention
- Once healed, make sure to ask your doctor for prevention and safety tips to reduce your risk of further injury, particularly if your injury resulted from an activity. It may be frustrating to wait until you're better to continue doing what you love, but it's well worth it. In general, you can reduce your risk of a fibula fracture by working to maintain your bone mass. Some factors such as age and g…