Can you walk on a fractured 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 do I know if my fibula is fractured?

Can a fractured fibula heal without a cast?

The exact treatment will depend on where and how bad the injury is. A brace or cast can keep your leg stable while the fracture heals. But if the injury is severe or complex, you may need surgery to realign the bones.

How long before you can walk on a fractured fibula?

It and the tibia, the larger bone, therefore, support all of your weight when standing. Because of this and unlike other types of injuries and conditions, a broken fibula usually requires six weeks to three months before patients are able to return to their normal routine.

Is a fibula fracture serious?

Most fractures of the fibula do not have any serious complications. Within a few weeks to several months, most patients make a full recovery and can continue their normal activities.

Telling Pain to Take a Hike: Rehabilitation After a Broken Fibula

What does a fibula stress fracture feel like?

A stress fracture of the fibula is characterised by increasing shin pain developing over a period of weeks. The pain is generally very localised over the site of the stress fracture and made worse by exercise.

Can you fracture your leg and still walk?

A broken leg (leg fracture) will be severely painful and may be swollen or bruised. You usually will not be able to walk on it. If it's a severe fracture, the leg may be an odd shape and the bone may even be poking out of the skin.

Why does my fibula hurt when I walk?

Generally, fibula stress fractures present as focal pain in the area of fatigue. Usually, the pain is made worse by walking or running and improved with rest. In the beginning, pain only occurs after activity. However, as the stress fracture worsens, pain occurs during and after exercise.

How long does a fractured fibula hurt?

This normally takes approximately 6 weeks to heal. Pain and Swelling: The swelling is often worse at the end of the day and elevating it will help. Pain and swelling can be ongoing for 3-6 months.

Can you walk on a nondisplaced fracture?

Minimize walking and standing. Use crutches if they are provided. Stay off the foot until a medical provider tells you it is okay to bear weight.

What do they do for a fractured fibula?

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.

Can I drive with a fractured fibula?

“We must feel they are not putting themselves or others at risk, and the patient must be confident in their ability to resume driving,” he said. “This often varies widely, depending on the extent of the injury or condition. For example, it takes 9 weeks following ankle fracture to regain ability to drive safely.”

Can a fractured fibula heal in 3 weeks?

Fibula Healing, Quickly and Completely

Fibular fracture treatment usually takes four to six weeks, as long as the patient doesn't try to return to action too soon.

Can a broken fibula heal on its own?

A broken fibula often starts immobilization. But after the initial phase, sitting on the couch and letting it heal on its own is probably not the best approach.

Why does the top of my fibula hurt?

If the ligaments that hold the fibula to the tibia are loose or damaged, this causes too much motion or fibular head instability. The joint here between the two bones can become arthritic or swollen, which can cause pain. These ligaments include the tibiofibular and lateral collateral.

Can you walk on a fractured ankle?

Many people assume that if you can put weight on the ankle then it isn't broken, however, it is possible to walk on a broken ankle, particularly with a less severe fracture. If you're concerned your ankle may be broken, we recommend contacting your doctor, who can conduct an examination or order and xray if necessary.

Can you break your fibula by rolling your ankle?

You can break your fibular by rolling or twisting your ankle, tripping, falling, or sustaining a direct blow or impact to the lower leg or ankle. The fibula can also suffer a stress fracture. This type of fracture involves tiny cracks in the bone that develop repetitive stress or force on the bone.

Is fibula a weight-bearing?

The tibia is a larger bone on the inside, and the fibula is a smaller bone on the outside. The tibia is much thicker than the fibula. It is the main weight-bearing bone of the two. The fibula supports the tibia and helps stabilize the ankle and lower leg muscles.

What is a distal fibula fracture?

Synopsis. Distal fibula fracture, the most common type of ankle fracture, is an isolated malleolar fracture (70% or greater); the majority of these are lateral malleolus fractures. Distal fibula fractures can affect adult patient of any age as well as children.

Where does a fibula stress fracture hurt?

Stress fractures of the fibula are most common in its distal third and cause pain in the lateral distal third of the lower leg. Additional pathologies that may cause pain in this location include fibularis muscle strain or tendinopathy (particularly fibularis brevis) and lateral ankle ligament sprain.

How do I know if I have a hairline fracture in my leg?

Pain in response to pressure is often the key for your doctor to diagnose a hairline fracture. MRI: The best imaging test for determining hairline fractures is an MRI. This test uses magnets and radio waves to provide images of your bones. An MRI will determine a fracture before an X-ray can.

How do you tell if a bone is broken or just bruised?

How do you tell if a bone is fractured or sprained?

If you can walk with soreness, it is unlikely that it is broken. Is there significant swelling? If the injured area experiences immediate and severe swelling, that could be a sign of a broken bone or fracture. However, if the swelling is mild and develops gradually, it is likely a sprain or strain.

Can a fibula stress fracture heal without a boot?

The boot you have been given is not needed to aid fracture healing but will help with your symptoms and should be worn whenever you're walking. You may walk on the foot as comfort allows. You may find it easier to walk with crutches in the early stages.