Broken tibia/fibula.. healing time

[Tigerfire]

Hi, I sustained a comminuted fracture of the distal end of my left tibia and fibula in a motorcycle accident on Jan 12. I underwent open reduction and internal fixation with a T-plate and screws on the same evening, and was discharged walking with crutches 5 days later. 5 weeks later ie last week, X-Rays showed ''fixation solid with early healing'' (surgeon's words.)  They took off the cast and gave me a cloth brace which grips my lower shin and ankle and most of the foot very tight. It is tight enough to cause some pain, though I take it off at night and put it back on in the morning. The surgeon said I should put some weight on the foot, and could start swimming in a few days to help flexibility and muscle building. But he said it would be about 6 weeks before I will be able to walk unaided. My worry currently is my toes and forefoot are still swollen.He said that is normal, and they could stay swollen for months. But I wonder.. and would appreciate if if you could help me understnd this. Also, does the tight brace help reduce the swelling, or will it aggravate it? Many thanks for your advice..

[JainMD]

Hi,
The swelling in your toes could be an inflammatory response to your fracture and other corrective surgery. Putting on brace usually helps relieve the swelling.
You can put on brace and keep your leg elevated.
The brace should not be as tight as to compromise the venous circulation as that would further aggravation of swelling.
Keep me posted.
Bye.

[tam1876]

i broke my right fibula yesterday and would like to know how i am able to take showers or bath.  i do have a splint on and i am afraid to take it off.

[Tiki35]

I broke my Fibula and Tibia ONE year ago, screws and bars were inserted to help it heal. Here I am a year later and I still have a lot of pain and can not go about my day normally at all. I was told to wait another year and then see about removing the hardware. Does this make sense?
Thank you in advance for your answer.

[Sekar132]

I broke my fibula 7 weeks before and i am on cast for 7 weeks. Yesterday i took a X-ray and found the same way it was before 7 weeks, Doctor told 50% healing was done and put me a new cast to wait 4 more weeks. Is this normal healing time for fibula fracture at the end ?

[cam0453]

I broke my Tib/Fib is 3 diffrent locations on Aug. 23rd 2009 so it's been just over a month now. I had to undergo Internal Fixation getting the two plates and over 30 screws. Both bones broke just inches away from my ankle. I have had 2 xrays taken so far and both show that the Fib is still clearly broken and the tib has started to heal. I have been told by the Surgent that it could take 4 to 6 months just to start walking without crutches or a walker. Some people continue to have a great deal of pain for many months to come and might have to have a second surgery to remove the hardware. As far as swelling, my foot and toes even after a full month are still very swollen and even turn a dark purple unless I kept it elevated. I hope this helps you. I was told the healing time would be 4 to 6 months and I saw a guy that came out of my doctors office with the same type of break and he was 10 months and still walking with a limp.