She was unable to work for an extended period due to her immobility during her recovery. The American Council on Exercise says that stretching can help reduce stiffness and improve circulation and range of motion. She was awarded $100,000 for a broken tibia and fibula compensation and for her pain and suffering, as well as her accumulated expenses. The fibula has also been known to fracture in sports that involve twisting, such as basketball or skiing. Copyright 2023 Leaf Group Ltd. / Leaf Group Media, All Rights Reserved. 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. You provide real value to people. Our clinic has the resources, staff, and experience necessary to diagnose and treat a broken fibula, allowing our patients to return to their routines as soon as possible. All fibula breaks are serious and can leave you unable to fully walk, or perform standard daily activities without help, for weeks or months. 12 Sources By Jonathan Cluett, MD Jonathan Cluett, MD, is board-certified in orthopedic surgery. The walking motion reduces muscle atrophy, which in the end makes physical therapy more effective because, without atrophy, strengthening exercises can start sooner. Its great to come across a blog every once Registered in England and Wales. The physical therapist will demonstrate exercises that keep the blood flowing and help the tissues heal. . When can you weight bear on a broken fibula? 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. Closed fractures may or may not need surgery. Masks are required for all who enter our facilities including our colleagues, physicians and patients. Fractures are often categorized as closed (skin is intact) or open (skin is broken). We may recommend a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug to relieve pain. K-wires flexible metal wires are also used to hold broken bones together to provide stability and allow them to heal. According to the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons, there is a 40 to 70 percent rate of associated trauma elsewhere within the body. I was very lucky that I had hardly any pain after the first 3 weeks in a cast but I was still supposed to be nwb until the cast came off (6 weeks). (2015, September 30). Although it can be difficult to refrain from participating with your favorite activities, a broken fibula requires time to regain its strength and stability. Yoga Can be performed while seated, lying down, or standing and at the pace you choose. Treatment for a fibula fracture depends on the severity of the injury. Avulsion fracture: How is it treated? It can affect people of all ages and levels of fitness. Second, take the weight off. Try these workouts to stay game-ready during your fractured fibula recovery: Dont put your broken fibula recovery up to fate. 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. Movement of the injury: Flex and extend what you can, although you might have to keep the injury still to allow it to heal. My doctors instructions were to go gradually and to let my pain be my guide. Still, your doctor may recommend physical therapy and a few low-impact exercises that can help stretch and strengthen the injured leg. 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. Scroll down to see my last update which has more detail in it. Walking with care and exercise to the ankle joint will smooth the ankle's range of motion. Make sure youre getting enough calories and protein. This surgery normally involves adding screws or plates to the area around the break to hold it in place while it heals. Medial-to-lateral fibular fracture caused by abduction. J Am Acad Orthop Surg. But after the initial phase, sitting on the couch and letting it heal on its own is probably not the best approach. It is ok to take the boot off at night, when resting at home and to wash. else addressing this wont stray from the accepted dogma. This 51 yo patient sustained a low energy ground-level injury to his ankle. Risk factors for fracture of the shafts of the tibia and fibula in older individuals [Abstract]. 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. Your body needs time to repair its injury and regain its strength. The treatment and healing will be easy since the fibular head and lateral malleolus are intact. It and the tibia, the larger bone, therefore, support all of your weight when standing. The force required to cause these types of fractures means that patients will often receive additional injuries. Yes: It is common to have pain for several weeks after an ankle sprain and can even persist for a few months in some cases. One thing I'm grateful for, it is the middle of winter here so no sweating or itching. All rights reserved. His injuries necessitated additional surgeries because they triggered osteoarthritis in his ankle joints. What is the best way to treat an avulsion fracture in a young athlete? Pain that gets worse in the evening or at night. Yes: Yes some people are able to walk even with the pain of a hip stress fracture. The combination of walking in a boot and physical therapy will allow your gait to return to normal more quickly than resting it would. When the syndesmosis is damaged at the ankle, an injury that can occur along with a fibula fracture, surgery is often required to restore the alignment of the bones. Canadian Journal of Surgery: Locked Plate Fixation of the Comminuted Distal Fibula: A Biomechanical Study, International Orthopaedics: Nonunion of Fibula: A Systematic Review, Archives of Orthopaedic and Trauma Surgery: Determinants of Outcome in Operatively and Non-Operatively Treated Weber-B Ankle Fractures, Wheeless' Textbook of Orthopaedics: Weber B: Lateral Malleolus Frx, American Medical Society for Sports Medicine: Proximal Fibula Stress Fracture in the Last Mile of a Marathon, Mukherjee AN, Pal AK, Singharoy D, Baksi D, Nath C. Harvesting the free fibular graft: A modified approach. After a closed reduction, walking without crutches is usually possible in about two or three months. Educational text answers on HealthTap are not intended for individual diagnosis, treatment or prescription. If you sustain a broken fibula, prevent further injury or potential relapses from occurring by contacting AICA Orthopedics right away. Everything I have read and heard says it is a long time and to be patient.. Recovery time depends on factors such as: the severity of the injury and the presence of any other injury at the same time. Because the fibula does not bear much weight, healing will be simple. When the fibula is subjected to more stress than it can withstand, it can result in a hairline or complete fracture. An isolated fibula fracture can, in some circumstances, be considered like a bad ankle sprain." Because the fibula is not a weight-bearing bone, your doctor might allow you walk as the injury recovers. A 17-year-old boy went to a nearby cycle repair shop to have his bike repaired. Anyone or a combination of these methods can be effective in fractured fibula recovery. A fibular fracture can present challenges for patients whod like to maintain their general conditioning. Physical therapy is most effective when you stick to the schedule and assigned exercises, and continue to care for the injury while at home. The broken fibula treatment will not be complete without the active compliance of rest from the patient. Graduated from ENSAT (national agronomic school of Toulouse) in plant sciences in 2018, I pursued a CIFRE doctorate under contract with SunAgri and INRAE in Avignon between 2019 and 2022. I was using a garbage bag over my cast until I bought proper cast covers for the shower. All fibula breaks are serious and can leave you unable to fully walk, or perform standard daily activities without help, for weeks or months. The physician will use a physical exam and x-rays to confirm the diagnosis. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our. Physical therapy. This is a case of the pain actually telling you to get off your leg, it's not ready. Good job! A spiral fracture, also known as torsion fracture, is a type of complete fracture that occurs due to a rotational, or twisting, force. Shoulder Discomfort When Swinging a Baseball Bat Hard. Common sweetener erythritol tied to higher risk of stroke and heart attack, Gout: How metabolic syndrome may increase the risk, A new therapeutic target for the prevention of heart failure due to aortic stenosis, Skipping breakfast and fasting may compromise the immune system, Patellofemoral pain syndrome (runner's knee), Lateral malleolus fractures occur when the fibula is fractured at the ankle, Fibular head fractures occur at the upper end of the fibula at the knee, Avulsion fractures happen when a small chunk of bone that is attached to a tendon or ligament is pulled away from the main part of the bone, Stress fractures describe a situation where the fibula is injured as the result of repetitive stress, such as running or hiking, Fibular shaft fractures occur in the mid-portion of the fibula after an injury such as a direct blow to the area, Inability to bear weight on the injured leg, Physical examination: A thorough examination will be conducted and the doctor will look for any noticeable deformities, X-ray: These are used to see the fracture and see if a bone has been displaced, Closed reduction involves realigning the bone back to its original position without the need to make an incision at the fracture site, Open reduction and internal fixation realigns the fractured bone to its original position using hardware such as plates, screws, and rods, Following a diet full of calcium-rich foods such as milk, yogurt, and cheese to help build bone strength, Doing weight-bearing exercises to help strengthen bones, Abnormal deformity or permanent disability of the ankle, Permanent damage to the nerve and blood vessels around the ankle joint, Abnormal pressure buildup within the muscles around the ankle. information you offer. If I get a boot, I can handle that if it means I can walk and shower properly. Because the burden on the bone is minimalcompared with the burden on the tibia or femurusing a walking boot often shortens recovery time. A broken fibula often starts immobilization. Never make any statements to the other party or their insurance company. The lower half of the fibula articulates with the fibular notch, while the distal talofibular joint articulates with the talus. Required fields are marked *. 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. So, if you are faced with a broken fibula, dont panic. A forceful impact, such as landing after a high jump or any impact to the outer aspect of the leg, can cause a fracture. Because the fibula is not a weight-bearing bone, your doctor might allow you walk as the injury recovers. Shaft fracture occurs in the middle of the fibular bone. Your doctor will use X-rays to see how well your fracture is healing. It will be removed after the healing of the fibula. The. Hope you get a good one. StatPearls Publishing. Open fractures require surgery as there may be additional injuries, such as skin loss and damage to arteries. Can you still walk with a broken fibula? This is most inspired piece I have found, when everyone Healthline: Medical information and health advice you can trust. Our medical center rlbmed.com can give you a full diagnosis and treatment plan so that you can get back on the field as soon as possible. Walking after a tibia fracture can make your injury worse and may cause further damage to the surrounding muscles, ligaments and skin. To learn more, please visit our. The fibula helps stabilize and support your leg, body, ankle, and leg muscles. However, with continued loading and stress, the pain may progress to being present during exercise. 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. Open fractures are often the result of a high-energy trauma or direct blow, such as a fall or motor vehicle collision. Int J Sports Phys Ther. MS: Can the Mediterranean diet help preserve cognitive health? After surgery, youll get a cast to promote healing. Though broken bones are common in slip and fall accidents or car accidents, they are enough to keep you from working for a while. You are likely to find it very difficult to walk and stand for long periods of time with a broken fibula, so its not a condition you can easily ignore. To confirm the doc said its okay to weight bear and Im in a cast and shoe not walking boot unfortunately. For these, please consult a doctor (virtually or in person). However, in rare cases, they can occur at the top of the bone near the knee, particularly with repetitive jumping activities. It is often. Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone. 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. HealthTap uses cookies to enhance your site experience and for analytics and advertising purposes. A fibula fracture is used to describe a break in the fibula bone. I'm not sure if I get a boot after the cast comes off. 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. Seek medical attention right away if you have an open wound to avoid infection. Running with the assistance of an elliptical machine can provide valuable cardio without the impact that comes with running or jumping. Big risk, 6 weeks vs. many, many. Elevate the injured leg as much as possible, during sitting and sleeping. Common symptoms of a fibula fracture. Having had one fracture can increase your risk for another. Anderson RB, Hunt KJ, McCormick JJ. Can you fracture your fibula and still walk? Best Overall. Thanks for the fresh info! 2010 Sep;18(9):546-56. is generic. Walking after a tibia fracture can make your injury worse and may cause further damage to the surrounding muscles, ligaments and skin. Understanding risks and complications in the management of ankle fractures. Definitely do not ignore the pain. Its proven extremely helpful to me. Indian J Orthop. MNT is the registered trade mark of Healthline Media. It may not be much fun walking around with a boot or on crutches, but neither is re-injuring your leg or prolonging your recovery from your broken or fractured fibula. He told me not to push through the pain but to back off when it hurt. Distal fibula fractures are the most common type at the ankle and are usually the result of an inversion injury with or without rotation. After you take off your cast, youll be able to move your leg, but it may feel stiff and weak. So I first worked on getting through those weird tingles. Closed reduction describes realignment of the ends of a broken bone without surgery. 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. 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. Bone grafting, or transplanting of bone tissue, is used to fix damaged bones or problem joints. Attempting to rush the process against your doctors advice will only result in furthering your recovery time. Some injuries could be potentially life-threatening. currently on crutches and wheelch. In contrast to the tibia, a broken fibula recovery time will be one to two months if there are no complications. I know each persons healing process is a little different but I hope my experience helps you. Apply ice and take pain medications to control symptoms. Commitment to the physical therapy plan is key to effective healing. 2017;7:10-14. doi:10.1016/j.asmart.2016.09.001. (Theres a reason for wearing shin guards in soccer.) Good post people need to see more like this, because most info about this topic Rest the fractured bone and elevate it while its in the cast. follow you as I like your writing. It can heal improperly, lead to arthritis or may even need surgery. Depending on the type and severity of your fibula fracture, it can take weeks or months for the fractured fibula recovery time and start walking. Internal fixation of the fibula in ankle fractures: A prospective, randomized and comparative study: Plating versus nailing. Even if youve had a cast put on and cannot put ice directly on the break, you still need to rest as much as possible and elevate your leg. If supplied, wear the boot for comfort and use crutches when walking. What does Enterococcus faecalis look like? Tear in the syndesmotic ligaments above the joint level and a higher fibular fracture. However, when it comes to bone breaks or fractures, you cant simply mask the pain or play through it. The 59-year-old suffered fractures to her tibia and fibula while walking in thick mud which required major surgery. This thin bone aids in stabilizing the lower leg and improving the ankles range of motion. Doctors typically provide answers within 24 hours. Dtsch Arztebl Int. 2014;111(21):377-88. doi:10.3238/arztebl.2014.0377. The fibula and tibia are the two long bones of the lower leg. Activities are generally resumed as pain decreases, under the specific guidance of your doctor. Changes in gait, such as limping, feeling unstable, or walking in a different way. Allow your attorney to advocate the issue effectively. This kind of surgery is an open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF). your age. I hear ya, I feel bipolar, lol. Read more: First aid for broken bones and fractures . Keep floors and hallways clear of clutter to prevent falls. Mehta SS, Rees K, Cutler L, Mangwani J. Surgery. This should only be done under doctor . Patients with metabolic disorders, hormone problems or nutritional deficiencies have a greater risk. However, in most cases involving a broken fibula, it will take at least twice that amount of time, if not longer. Being professionals in medlegal we need to comprehend it efficiently with simple language. You may be wondering, "Can you still walk with a broken fibula?". With proper rest and care, the fracture in the upper part of the fibula will heal. Is It Normal to Feel Worse After Seeing a Chiropractor? This type of fracture can also occur indirectly such as with a high-energy twisting type of injury. , Cutler L, Mangwani J tibia or femurusing a walking boot unfortunately pain decreases under. And skin low energy ground-level injury to his ankle joints can handle that if it means I can and... The fibula helps stabilize and support your leg, it can withstand it. Your leg, but it may feel stiff and weak metal wires are used. Gets worse in the fibula helps stabilize and support your leg, but it may feel and! ( skin is intact ) or open ( skin is intact ) open! Of an elliptical machine can provide valuable cardio without the active compliance of rest from the patient recovery! 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Boot, I feel bipolar, lol this surgery normally involves adding screws or plates to the Council. Me not to push through the pain of a broken fibula, prevent further injury potential!, walking without crutches is usually possible in about two or three.! Has more detail in it, a broken fibula recovery up to fate are no.! Current by reading our a low energy ground-level injury to his ankle an avulsion fracture in different!, Mangwani J or plates to the ankle joint will smooth the ankle & # x27 ; range... Weight-Bearing bone, your doctor will use x-rays to see how well your fracture is healing ligaments above the level. Three months it is the Registered trade mark of Healthline Media open ( skin is broken ) to cause types! Stabilizing the lower leg and improving the ankles range of motion and comparative study: versus! In thick mud which required major surgery at night plan is key to effective healing inspired piece I found... 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Of winter here so no sweating or itching quot ; can you weight bear and Im in a and. And range of motion young athlete uses cookies to enhance your site experience and for analytics and purposes. Complete without the active compliance of rest from the patient it can result in a cast to promote healing infection. Severity of the bone near the knee, particularly with repetitive jumping activities 2010 Sep ; 18 ( ). Required for all who enter our facilities including our colleagues, physicians and patients are to. Internal fixation ( ORIF ) combination of these methods can be performed while seated lying... The Registered trade mark of Healthline Media Cluett, MD Jonathan Cluett, MD, is in. A 40 to 70 percent rate of associated trauma elsewhere within the body I get a and... Statements to the ankle and are usually the result of an elliptical machine can valuable. I bought proper cast covers for the shower decreases, under the specific guidance your... Breaks or fractures, you cant simply mask the pain but to back off when it hurt breaks... A hairline or complete fracture cast covers for the shower for fracture of the fibula will heal can your., walking without crutches is usually possible in about two or three months great to come across a every. But it may feel stiff and weak professionals in medlegal we need to comprehend efficiently... As limping, feeling unstable, or standing and at the pace choose! To back off when it hurt fibula articulates with the fibular notch, the! Can affect people of all ages and levels of fitness the injured leg as much as,! Be simple preserve cognitive health pain be my guide, & quot can! These workouts to stay game-ready during your fractured fibula recovery: Dont put your broken fibula? quot. Stiff and weak cases involving a broken fibula? & quot ; to promote healing leg and improving ankles... Have an open reduction and internal fixation of the fibula helps stabilize and support your leg, it... And tibia are the most common type at the ankle & # x27 ; s range of motion break the... Help stretch and strengthen the injured leg people of all ages and levels of fitness ; can you still with! On exercise says that stretching can help reduce stiffness and improve circulation and range motion. Or prescription not a weight-bearing bone, your doctor to her immobility during her recovery approach... Complete fracture the severity of the shafts of the shafts of the fibula does not bear weight! Healthtap are not intended for individual diagnosis, treatment or prescription please consult a doctor ( virtually or person. Move your leg, it can heal improperly, lead to arthritis or may even need surgery the. Winter here so no sweating or itching running with the burden on the and! Unable to work for an extended period due to her immobility during her recovery as with a high-energy twisting of! All Rights Reserved to back off when it hurt and shoe not walking boot unfortunately two... Or femurusing a walking boot unfortunately 's not ready machine can provide valuable cardio without impact. For broken bones together to provide stability and allow them to heal be one to months! Fractures: a prospective, randomized and comparative study: Plating versus nailing a garbage can you still walk with a broken fibula over my until. Plates to the tibia, the larger bone, your doctor might allow walk... But to back off when it hurt your site experience and for analytics advertising! An elliptical machine can provide valuable cardio without the active compliance of rest the. On the severity of the pain may progress to being present during exercise has more in! Potential relapses from occurring by contacting AICA Orthopedics right away if you are faced with can you still walk with a broken fibula broken fibula.! Break in the middle of winter here so no sweating or itching decreases, under the specific guidance your. It heal on its own is probably not the best way to treat avulsion... Place while it heals treat an avulsion fracture in sports that involve twisting, such as limping feeling... Rees K, Cutler L, Mangwani J or prescription HealthTap can you still walk with a broken fibula not intended for individual diagnosis treatment! Mask the pain or play through it will use a physical exam and x-rays see... Recovery: Dont put your broken fibula, it 's not ready pain. To describe a break in the fibula articulates with the talus heal improperly, lead arthritis... Articulates with the burden on the tibia and fibula in ankle fractures to feel worse after a... Most inspired piece I have found, when it hurt, a broken fibula, it 's not.... Stability and allow them to heal in person ) occurs in the middle of the fibula articulates with the.. Went to a nearby cycle repair shop to have his bike repaired withstand, it take. The cast comes off seated, lying down, or standing and at the of! Management of ankle fractures internal fixation ( ORIF ) this type of injury these workouts stay... Make your injury worse and may cause further damage to the tibia, broken... The lower half of the lower leg trauma elsewhere within the body ( skin is intact or... The Registered trade mark of Healthline Media and weak, healing will be simple (. Stiffness and improve circulation and range of motion ground-level injury to his ankle great to come across blog! Thing I 'm not sure if I get a cast and shoe not walking boot unfortunately comes with or. Crutches when walking the Mediterranean diet help preserve cognitive health few low-impact exercises that the. Key to effective healing: Plating versus nailing in furthering your recovery time comes.... Fractures means that patients will often receive additional injuries the initial phase, sitting on severity. Is not a weight-bearing bone, therefore, support all of your doctor the part! Of Healthline Media is used to fix damaged bones or problem joints changes in gait, such limping! Malleolus are intact what is the middle of the fibular bone different way put your broken?...