ankle fracture while playing football

by kanchana weerasinghe
(sri lanka)

i am 22 years old and i had an ankle fracture five weeks ago (01/10/2009)while playing foot ball. in the case i broke my medial malleolus and fibula. i had a surgery on next day and medial malleolus fixed with two screws but nothing done on fibula( i broke fibula about 3 inches above from the tip). I'm an engineering student and i need to sit for my final exam in January. these days I'm really disappointed and stressed so please kind enough to answer my questions bothering me always.

1. how long will it take me to get off from crutches?
2. when will the screws be removed?
3. i still have a occasional pain where the screws are inserted. is this normal?
3. why was my fibula not teated with a plate?
4. will i be physically good enough for go to the exam?
5. how long will it take me to get back to sports?

thanks, i,m looking forward to hearing from you.

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ankle fracture while playing football

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Nov 10, 2009
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appreciation
by: Anonymous

thank you very much for your comments

Nov 09, 2009
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ankle fracture questions
by: Bart - SII

Time on crutches following an ankle fracture surgery varies greatly from case to case. It is dependent upon how well the fracture is healing, the surgeons philosophy on progressing the recovery, and the individuals ability to return to walking. Fracture healing generally goes along a 6-8 week timeline. This is for normal healing fractures. Depending on your specific case will determine when you can be off the crutches. I would discuss this with your doctor to get an accurate timeline.

The fibula is not a weight bearing bone, and since you fractured it above the ankle joint, if it wasn't displaced, it likely did not need surgical intervention. The immobilization period and non-weightbearing that was required for healing of the medial fracture should be enough for the fibula to heal.

Pain is normal at this point in your recovery. It should be diminished as compared to the initial injury, but is common to continue for several weeks after surgery.

They may not remove the screws at all unless they are problematic. Most surgeons will elect to leave them in for at least 6-8 months after surgery, but again, this goes on a case by case basis. You should talk to your doctor about screw removal for an accurate timeline.

Your final exam will be in January, 3 months after your injury. What kind of activity do you need to be able to do for the exam. You should have some function back by that time, but it will depend on your recovery and your doctor's progression of your injury to determine how much function you will have.

Sports after an ankle fracture surgery generally take several months to return to. It will depend on how your rehabilitation progresses - restoring range of motion, muscle strength, stability, and neuromuscular control.

I would strongly recommend talking to your doctor about all of your questions - they will be able to give you much better answers for your specific case.

Bart

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Nov 09, 2009
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Submitted by: Bart - SII

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Time on crutches following an ankle fracture surgery varies greatly from case to case. It is dependent upon how well the fracture is healing, the surgeons philosophy on progressing the recovery, and the individuals ability to return to walking. Fracture healing generally goes along a 6-8 week timeline. This is for normal healing fractures. Depending on your specific case will determine when you can be off the crutches. I would discuss this with your doctor to get an accurate timeline. The fibula is not a weight bearing bone, and since you fractured it above the ankle joint, if it wasn't displaced, it likely did not need surgical intervention. The immobilization period and non-weightbearing that was required for healing of the medial fracture should be enough for the fibula to heal. Pain is normal at this point in your recovery. It should be diminished as compared to the initial injury, but is common to continue for several weeks after surgery. They may not remove the screws at all unless they are problematic. Most surgeons will elect to leave them in for at least 6-8 months after surgery, but again, this goes on a case by case basis. You should talk to your doctor about screw removal for an accurate timeline. Your final exam will be in January, 3 months after your injury. What kind of activity do you need to be able to do for the exam. You should have some function back by that time, but it will depend on your recovery and your doctor's progression of your injury to determine how much function you will have. Sports after an ankle fracture surgery generally take several months to return to. It will depend on how your rehabilitation progresses - restoring range of motion, muscle strength, stability, and neuromuscular control. I would strongly recommend talking to your doctor about all of your questions - they will be able to give you much better answers for your specific case. Bart

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