How do you diagnose a fibula fracture?

Can you have a fractured fibula and still walk?

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.

What do doctors do for a broken 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. your age.

What does a fibula hairline fracture feel like?

Fibula stress fracture symptoms

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.

Where does a fractured fibula hurt?

Symptoms. Fibula fractures often occur with injuries to other bones, ligaments, and tendons around the knee and ankle. The most common symptoms of a fibula fracture are: Pain on the outside of the leg.

Proximal fibular fracture/clinical exam with @Ortho EVAL Pal With Paul Marquis

Does a fractured fibula need a cast?

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.

Is a fibula fracture serious?

All fibula breaks are serious and can leave you unable to fully walk, or perform standard daily activities without help, for weeks or months.

How can I tell if I have a stress fracture in my fibula?

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.

How do you know if you have a stress fracture in your leg?

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.

How do you know if a leg injury is serious?

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.

How long does swelling last after broken fibula?

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 see a stress fracture on Xray?

X-rays. Stress fractures often can't be seen on regular X-rays taken shortly after your pain begins. It can take several weeks — and sometimes longer than a month — for evidence of stress fractures to show on X-rays.

Do you need a boot for a stress fracture?

The boot you have been given is for your comfort only and is not needed to aid fracture healing but will help to settle your symptoms and should be worn for walking for 6 weeks. Follow up: You will see a Foot and Ankle Specialist about 6 weeks after your injury.

Why do fractures hurt more at night?

During the night, there is a drop in the stress hormone cortisol which has an anti-inflammatory response. There is less inflammation, less healing, so the damage to bone due to the above conditions accelerates in the night, with pain as the side-effect.

Can you drive with a broken 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.”

What to do if you think you've fractured your ankle?

Get medical advice as soon as possible if you think you've broken your ankle. It may need treatment to heal properly. Do not worry if you're not sure if your ankle is broken, dislocated or sprained. Get it checked by a doctor.

How long does bruising occur after a fracture?

Within one or two days of your injury, the blood that has collected at the injury site turns a bluish or dark purple color. After 5 to 10 days, the bruise turns a green or yellow color. This is a sign that healing is taking place. After 10 or 14 days, the bruise's color will be more of a yellow-brown or light brown.

What is 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.

How long does a broken fibula hurt?

Recovery can take three to six months. Fibula stress fracture: A fibula stress fracture is common among athletes and results from repeated stress to the fibula bone of the lower leg. Stress fractures can affect long-distance runners and usually worsen with increasing activity. Recovery can take six weeks or more.

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. If that doesn't work, slowly adjust yourself to a side position if possible.

How do you fix fibula pain?

Treatment begins with the elevation of the leg. Ice is used to relieve the pain and reduce swelling. If no surgery is needed, crutches are used for mobility and a brace, cast, or walking boot is recommended while healing takes place.

Can you wiggle toes with broken leg?

Can you move a broken toe? “If you can still move it then it's not broken.” – False. This is another harmful old wives' tale. Although it may be possible to move and walk on your broken toe, you should avoid doing so as this can lead to even greater damage and prolonged healing time.

Can you have a fracture and not know it?

Believe it or not, sometimes people can break bones and not realize it. Emergency room physician Dr. Troy Madsen says some bones are more prone to fractures. Swelling, trouble moving a joint, or lingering pain after a few days can all be indications of a bone fracture.