stress fibular fracture

[sillyme138]

I initially injured my ankle running in 10/08-xrays were normal. After no improvemnt with PT- I had a MRI in the end of 11/08 which showed a stress fracture in my fibula. I was told to wear an ankle brace- I reduced the amount of exercise I was doing but then did too much everytime I started to feel better.Xrays 2 months later showed minimal progress towards healing and a CT showed completion of the fracture with hypertrophic callus with nonunion, as well as the begining of a stress fracture in my tibia.I was placed in a air cast and have been trying to ignificantly reduce weight bearing and stopped the exercise. I am now using a bone stimulater as well. Is it going to work?

[Dr_Veena]

Hi,
     Thanks for writing in. Stress fractures are caused by over use or repeated trauma. The most important treatment is rest and avoiding activity which has caused this fracture. But in you case as you have initiated activity before healing9at least 6-8 weeks) this has lead to non union and further damage to the tibia.

If the activity that caused the stress fracture is resumed too quickly, larger, harder-to-heal stress fractures can develop. Re-injury also could lead to chronic problems where the stress fracture might never heal properly.

I would suggest that you allow the bone to heal, then start with cross training activities, activity modification to prevent further damage.
Best.