Broken Fibula @ roller derby practice

by Sam
(Glos, U.k)

Hi on Sep13th I broke my Fibula, left leg just above the ankle joint. After being in plaster for a week it became very painfull and was swelling, I could weight bear. Another trip to A&E and they split the cast down one side. I then had it re-plaster after 3 days once the swelling reduce in this time There was little pain and I did walk on it in the split cast. I have read that the closer to the ankle joint the break is the more increased chance surgery will be required. As you can see from the x-rays it very close to the joint. I have to go back 4th Nov and im worried i may have to have surgery and may have done more damage walking on it. As you can see it snapped right the way through. SO WHAT IS THE CHANCE ON THIS INJURY NEEDING SURGERY?

Many thanks Sam

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Broken Fibula @ roller derby practice

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Oct 12, 2009
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surgery?
by: Bart - SII

You are right, the X-ray is very close to the joint...I would say that how your follow up X-rays look will determine whether it will require surgery. It doesn't look displaced on the X-ray you posted (great pic by the way!), so if it starts to heal, you may be able to avoid it.

Distal fibula fractures are commonly treated with weight bearing to tolerance in a cast or boot, especially when the fracture is not displaced, or crossing into the joint.

Bart