Broken Fibula Recovery

[riewoldt12]

Hi Everyone,

About 2 months ago I broke my fibula, down near the ankle, playing football. 2 weeks after the break I had a plate and 5 screws inserted in my leg. I now have been in a CAM Walker for about 4 weeks and am now starting to walk without it on. The biggest problem I am having at the moment is not pain from the break in the leg, but I cannot seem to put all my weight down on my leg when I walk due to the pain that I am getting in my heel and in my achilles tendon. In a walking motion I can put my foot down but I cannot put all my weight down on it when I lift it up again for the next stride, if that makes any sense. Does anyone have any ideas on what could be the, or a problem here. My recovery has been a long process and I am hoping it doesnt have to go on much longer cause I am missing out on some valuable cricket season. Thankyou for your help.

[Nicholas]

This link may help you: http://www.injuryupdate.com.au/injuries/shin_&_calf/fractured_fibula.php

It says there that it usually takes 9-12 weeks to recover.

[riewoldt12]

I have read that before and that was a good help but the bone at the moment isn't my concern. My concern is the pain I am getting from the achilles tendon and my heel.

[Hipster]

You've probably got some stiffness through the ankle joint as well as the achilles from being immobilised +/- some secondary fibrosis from the surgery. If you haven't had any physio work done on it - especially some soft tissue and joint mobilising as well as a home stretching and strengthening programme, then you definitely need one at this point. If you have and it's still not improving then go back to your surgeon or find another physio preferably a titled sports physio - Check out the clinics list for a good physio near you or www.physiotherapy.asn.au.

Remember if you're wanting to get back to activity ASAP then you need some specialist work done on the ankle by someone who knows what they are doing.

Hipster

[riewoldt12]

Thanks for your help hipster, I really appreciate it!

[pinkeyspinkey]

Yeah I have done the same i broke my fibula playing football, recently got it out of the cast but i can put weight on it. but im having the pain in Achilles tendon when i push off.


Im wanting to get myself back to Uni soon and surf for the summer. im hoping your leg is better now but do you have any advice for me in how to help get my leg up to strength


would be much appreciated

Matt

(pinkeyspinkey@googlemai.com)

[nicole james]

Hi,
Im looking for some advice as my Boyfriend has broken his fibular only 2 weeks ago. he had the open end surgery srews, plates etc just over a week ago. He is resting it all day and keeping it elevated on a footstool. But when he goes to the toilet on his crutches or pops to the kitchen his foot goes blueish colour which i think is not right. I have called the hospital several times for help and advice but they fob me off and say you will have to come to accident and emergency and wait for 3 hours!! My boyfriend wont as he thinks the blueness is no problem but im concerned it might be the sign of something more sinister. I wondered if you suffered the same thing with your foot? He is off work without pay so ignoring something that may potentially be a setback is worrying for me.
Hope you make a full recovery soon!!
Regards Nicole

[katiebeth]

Tooooootally normal, nicole james. Does it turn an purplish/blue...almost plum color? I'm four weeks post op and I still get that in my foot anytime I get up after having it propped up. It's completely normal, nothing to worry about unless there's unusual pain accompanying the color. Your bf will know if something's unusual in his foot. Does that help?

[nicole james]

Pleased to hear that!!! have called the hospital so many times and thy wont give me advice!! He hasnt been out of the house in 2 weeks!! Is it normal for it to feel uncomfortable still at this stage? He isnt taking painkillers as he says its not hurting its just uncomfortable!? He dosnt want anyone to see his big purple foot either as i wated to go for a meal or just out... he said it will put people off their food!! Hehe. Are you getting about much? How long was it until you started moving around outdoors on crutches? His foot ges a blueish/black/purple shade!!
Thanks Nicole

[katiebeth]

Hm. If he says it doesn't hurt, then it doesn't hurt. Does it swell or get warm to the touch? That happened with mine, but I was told it was normal. I stopped taking painkillers after a week or two. Honestly, that uncomfortable feeling...it's not pain, it's more of a sensitivity. I take it he's in a cast or walker of some sort.
As far as leaving the house...crutches are exhausting. A trip to the grocery store takes everything out of you. I think that no matter how optimistic you are, a blow to your independence like being stuck on crutches after surgery will get you down. It's totally possible that he's just experiencing that loss of independence, I think. It made me irritable and tired and I really just wanted to rest. I'd suggest just giving him time, be patient. It's a good idea to slowly get out and about, though, I think, so do what you can. See what he's up for. Short trips, short distances, not a really public place right away. The movie theater is good if he can find a way to put his foot up.
I'm allowed to walk in a cam walker now, and even then I have to keep my distances short. It takes a while.
Good luck...wish him a quick recovery!

[firas]

nicole, i'd advise him to take anti-inflammatory (like ibuprofin etc) as long as he has no allergies or problems when taking them... they will actually help him speed up the recovery. normally 400mg 3 times a day with food. codine and paracetamol etc are just pain killers really but the ibuprofin will help him get better quicker.

[Lea13]

Hi Gang!
I broke my fibula on July 10th 2007. I broke it playing roller derby. I didn't have any hardware put into my ankle. I have a spiral fracture but the bone stayed aligned so no need for surgery. It had a 2 1/2 mm fracture. So it has been a little over 2 months and I am walking wiht my cast off. I had to stay off of it completly for 3 weeks and then I slowly put weight on it. I had a removable walking boot. I went from two crutches to one to walking without any help with cast to now walking without cast or any help. I got the swollen purple foot for a good month anytime I put it down. I feel like my healing has gone slow but I think it has gone well. Bottom line, is you break a bone and it takes a lot of time to heal it. I definelty have lost major flexibility in my foot especially along the top of it. My foot doesn't want to be pointed at all. But it has been only two days without my cast. I went swimming and I think that helped out and I will be going to physio. I think it is a must. Not to pricy either.
Good luck everyone!
Lea

[nicole james]

Thanks for your help! He has cast off in 2 weeks.What happens next?

[just mom]

Hey everyone New here: My son (20 yr old) broke his fibula a week ago and it is only in a "boot" he is only to take it off when he showers or is putting ice on it, per Dr instructions. My question is it is still really swollen and he is still in alot of pain the hydrocodone/acetaminophen pain pills don't last long with him, Is this normal? What else could or should he be doing? He is on crutches no weight on the foot yet (the crutches are killing his arms and hands!
Thanks to all