broken fib. and painful ankle.

[Gallypro]

Hi doc. thanks for the reply, much apprciated. first  i should tell you that  me and another person slipped on ice and my friend fell on my leg causing the fracture, not sure but i may have rolled my ankle at the same time . You mentioned radiographs, not exactly sure what that is but Ive had my sergion look at few X-rays, he was looking at the space between the bones in tha ankle, his concern was wether or not to put a screw in, cause apparently my fractured fibula can cause swelling in the the ankle and thus spreding the bones out of posistion causing instability but he thinks the x-rays look alright, so he sent me home after 6 weeks and asked me to come back in 3 weeks, should i be pushing for a sooner date.

[JainMD]

Hi,
I think you should be asking for physiotherapist to start with tolerable passive range of motion exercise.
This will avoid disuse atrophy of muscles around the joint.
This will help in your swelling and in weight- bearing too.
Keep me informed if you have any queries.
As I said earlier do not exert yourself.
Bye.

[Gallypro]

can a fractured fibula have an effect on the peroneal tendons? that seems to be the source of my pain.

[Gallypro]

Does it help to be soaking my foot in warm water once a day , or icing it , or both?

[JainMD]

Hi,
Yes a fractured Fibula can have effect on peroneal tendons if the fracture is near the peroneal tendons. If the fractures are near the peroneal tendons then they can cause compressive pathology on the peroneal tendons.
Yes it would help soaking your foot in warm or ice water once a day.
You can do those alternatively as that would help in treating the pain perception and further pain relief.
Keep me informed if you have any queries.
Bye.

[Gallypro]

My fracture is about 4 or 5 inches up from the bottom, could there still be pain involved with the peroneals. and will a MRI show if there is a partial and or complete tear in those tendons?

[JainMD]

Hi,
Your symptoms of pain could be due to nerve irritation or nerve injury. Numbness or paresthesias may arise if damage to the peroneal nerve has occurred.
It is possible to have peroneal nerve damage due to fracture fibula.
Yes indeed a MRI will definitely show an injury, tear or displacement of tendons.
Any soft tissue pathology could be assessed with the help of MRI study.
Radiologist would note different signal intensity on a scan.
Are you planning for one? Or is the Orthopedist planning one?
I think it is to be done as early as possible.
Keep me informed if you have any queries.
Bye.