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Broken Tibia and Fibia Question

Hello,

On July 14th I broke my FIbia and my Medial Malleolus and received a plate and 7 pins. Since then I have gone to two follow ups with the orthopedic surgeon. Both times he said everything looked good. Right now I am in an air cast and am told to start putting graduall weight over the last few weeks until I see him on September 21st.

The question I have and am worried about. When I saw him in August I received x-rays. He told me exactly this 'there is not a lot of significant healing'. What could that mean? I only saw him for a moment so I had no time to ask. He then told me to wait another month and that I would be able to remove the boot and start physio when I see him this month.

I am at the point where I have no pain. I can walk on it with the boot with no issues. Most of my swelling is gone, I just have a bit on the top of my foot on the right side. I can also put weight on the foot without the boot with no issue, as the strength is now back in that leg/foot. I can also walk on it without the boot with no issues but stiffness and inability to bend the front ball of my foot yet.

I take vitamin C+D and I do not smoke. I am 24, in good health as I have no problems. Is it strange for it to take 10 weeks before I start physio? Everywhere I read it says 6 weeks for this type of fracture to heal, even with surgery.
Also, is it normal to have a tingly shooting sensation when I shave my legs close to the wounds? I do not touch the wounds, I just shave close to the fracture areas and get it.

Thanks!

3 Responses
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*fast
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Avatar universal
Thank you for the fats response :)
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Avatar universal
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Hello,

Continue taking precautions and your post clearly shows that you are following all instructions religiously.
Do not worry as fractures of tibia and fibula might also take 12 -16 weeks to heal. At your age healing is faster but you have to understand that every individual is different.
‘There is not a lot of significant healing' suggests that your callous formation at the fracture site has started but it needs further healing and is progressing and you would need further rest for a period of one month.

Your symptoms suggests significant improvement, but I suggest you to go slow and follow all the future instructions of your Surgeon and schedule the next visit and go ahead in asking all your questions. Stiffness will be there after the healing and do not worry about this as after complete healing you would need physical therapy to become fit again.

Take care!
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