Spiral Fibula Fracture

Hi Cristina.  It is common for people to feel some increased pain as the broken bones start to "glue" themselves together.  I've broken a few bones in the past (spiral fracture L tibia, spiral fracture R hand 5th metacarpal, L clavicle, ribs) and am currently healing from R tib/fib spiral fractures.  I'm  2 weeks into my present injury, and do recall that with all of my other fractures, I had a spike of pain at about one month, when the broken fragments are laying down a lot more calcium phosphate and are getting better.  

As for your relationship with your doctor, speak openly with him and tell him your concerrns.  Ask him to give you a detailed description of what to expect over the coming weeks to months.

Pete

I am having an ankle fracture too and its been more than two months now ... though i am walking in a cast ... the pain in the ankle has noticably increased in past 1.5 week .... i am not sure if i have craked it again or it is normal to get the pain spikes after 2 months of the injury????? Should i start using the crutches again and get back to immobilization of the ankle or continue with the normal walking and rehabilitation exercises???

I did the same thing February 1st and have had the cast off for 3 weeks.  I am still experiencing aches and slight swelling at the end of the day.  Of course, I do not have a brace or band on the ankle/foot.  Any suggestions about exercises that could help?  I can't go to therapy as I no longer have insurance having lost my job.

Somebody, please help me understand!  Hi there, is there anybody who can tell me more about the healing period for a spiral fracture on the left ankle.  I fractured my ankle a month and 5 days ago.  It was on a late saturday night, I went to the bathroom, on my way back, I kicked the base of my bed and missed my balance and fell, this bone like popped out and I heard a pop sound. It hurt for the moment, then I stepped back into bed and fell back into very deep sleep.  By the time it was morning, I completely forgot that I had fallen the previous night and then tried to get of the bed.  My God, the pain was terrible, and the ankle had been swollen badly already.  My toe was twice the size and my entire foot felt heavy. I shouted for my husband at that time, who has now left me since my injury, because I became too much of a burden already by the way, and he helped me onto a chair.  By then it was Sunday, then he took me to the nearest Medi-cross Clinic to have them look at it.  They x-rayed the ankle and said to me not to worry, it was just an ankle sprain and that i had torn my ligaments, so they put a transact and a bandage on me and sent me home wtih pain killers. The told me that they could not see a fracture.

Now, after three days of changing bandages, I noticed the pain just getting worse, and eventually my entire foot started turning black.  Fearing that it would be an infection, I went to see my family doctor this time for her opininion.  When I got there, she looked at my X-rays and my condition, and she was so upset that the guys at the clinic did not put my leg in a cast.  She advised me to make an appointment right away with a surgeon and get his advice.  By the time I eventually managed to get an appointment with one,  and my husband lets me down with the appointment.  he disappears, without a word and leaves me alone with our child.  I cried my heart out, eventually asking my sister for her assistance in taking me to the same doctor the next day.

Guess what? I went finally.  It was such a relief to finally meet "The Person"!  At last I would get some answers.  When I saw the doctor, he immediately sent me for new x-rays.  He had a look at it and smiled.  He said to me that I had a spiral fracture and a broken toe.  My word, I was shocked.  He immediately put me in a cast. I went home.  Since then up to yest i was experiencing terrible pains.  I went back to see him because I was concerned, and also it feels like a flapping feeling of the bones, its so hard to explain. I have like a pins and needles, like a poky sensation under my foot as well and experienceing alot of pain.Its like this feeling of a nerve pulling at the calvesdownwards. When I saw him yesterday, he did not even look at my leg.  he just told me that I am concentrating too much on the pain and that is why it hurts more.  He says to me that he prefers not to operate but rather give me a chance to heal on my own....Now I am not sure what to expect.  I can't sleep properly.  Not even on my sides.  I am in so much of pain.  

Is this normal?

What can I do?

How long has it been for some of you guys out there?

When and how do I get back on my feet again?

I keep my leg elevated most times, except when I have to got to the bathroom.  I feel so lost inside.  I feel like I am never going to walk again, yet alone dealing with other stress. I am unable to get anything done. I move around with crutches, but I cannot for not as the weight on my foot is terrible. Somebody please help me.

Thank you

Well hazela1

Bones do heal and sometimes it takes quite a while.  You're surgeon wants the fracture to heal on its own.  There is a reason for this.  If it does not he/she will have to essentially get in there and do a fair bit of work and you'll be back to square one in the healing game.

What sort of time frame are we talking about here?  Minimum you're looking at 6-8 weeks for improvement.  Have you seen your family physician since?  Perhaps you can ask her about vitamin supplements or dietary changes that may aid with the healing, also if you are on any other medications ask her if there are any side effects that may slow the healing process.  The pins and needles sensation perhaps swelling related causing a nerve to be impinged.  I am thinking on a side note, perhaps you should consult a therapist to help deal with depression related to your recent marital troubles sometimes people tend to forget to eat properly when they are under great stress.  

Get well

I broke my ankle on September 18, 2008 playing floor hockey. The x-rays showed that I broke my tibia and fibula (spiral fractures). They were considered "clean breaks" and didn't require surgery. A back slab was put on the night of the accident. An ortho specialist was seen 2 weeks later at which time the back slab was replaced by a solid cast almost to the knee.

As of today, October 18, 2008, I'm awaiting a follow up appointment scheduled for October 29, 2008 where I will most likely be fitted with a walking cast (hopefully). This will be 6 weeks since the injury.

After reading many blogs and speaking with people that have gone through this; I have to admit, it was more difficult than expected. From the initial severe pain / swelling to the discomfort and inconvenience of having to hop around everywhere, including work, this experience teaches you to never take your health for granted.

Hi, broke R fibula 4.5 weeks ago playing football, I thought it was just a sprain but seems like really strong sprains ends up in fibula fracture. Got my xrays, tomography and there´s no difference between the last ones and the ones I took 4 weeks ago. Got a cast the first 2 weeks and walker boot since then but not bearing any weight by using crutches.
I have to say that swelling was not a problem as I continuously get ice gel pads and keep my leg above waist level and got DICLOFENAC 150mg per day (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diclofenac).
After all these weeks I´m feeling some stitches near the fractured area, I don´t know what that means.

Every doctor tells me that we are talking of 8 weeks to get results... and I hate them.