How is a stress fracture of the distal fibula treated?
Treatment of stress fractures consists of activity modification, including the use of nonweight-bearing crutches if needed for pain relief. Analgesics are appropriate to relieve pain, and pneumatic bracing can be used to facilitate healing.
Can you walk on a stress fracture fibula?
After suffering a fibula stress fracture, most people are advised by physicians to limit load on the fractured fibula, especially early on. Once the leg is strong enough to begin physical therapy, the athlete will only be able to walk or run at a fraction of their total body-weight load.
How long does a fibula stress fracture take to heal?
Distal Fibula Stress Fracture
| Healing: | This normally takes approximately 6 weeks to heal. |
|---|---|
| Pain and Swelling: | The swelling is often worse at the end of the day and elevating it will help. Pain and swelling can be ongoing for 3-6 months. Take pain killers as prescribed. |
Can you walk on a distal fibula fracture?
Because the fibula is not a weight-bearing bone, your doctor might allow you walk as the injury recovers. You also might be advised to use crutches, avoiding weight on the leg, until the bone heals because of the fibula’s role in ankle stability.
What does fibula stress fracture feel like?
A stress fracture of the fibula is characterised by increasing shin pain developing over a period of weeks. The pain is generally very localised over the site of the stress fracture and made worse by exercise. Note figure1. Initially, it may have only been present following activity.
Can a fibula stress fracture heal without a boot?
A low risk stress fracture will typically heal on its own just fine, and may not even require any time spent in a boot or on crutches. Low risk stress fractures include most types of tibial and fibular (shin) stress fractures, and metatarsal stress fractures.
How do you know if you have a fibula stress fracture?
What are the symptoms of a stress fracture of the fibula? A stress fracture of the fibula caused a gradually increasing pain on the outside of the lower leg. Pain is often initially only present following activity. However, with continued loading and stress, the pain may progress to being present during exercise.
How painful is a fibula stress fracture?
Generally, fibula stress fractures present as focal pain in the area of fatigue. Usually, the pain is made worse by walking or running and improved with rest. In the beginning, pain only occurs after activity.
What causes fibula stress fracture?
Stress fractures of the fibula are caused by an imbalance between bone formation and bone resorption (removal). When the fibula is loaded or stressed, such as during weight-bearing exercise, it responds by increasing its bone turnover. This is necessary for it to live up to your demands on it.
Does distal fibula fracture need surgery?
Fibula Fracture With Ankle Injury Often, surgery is needed to make the ankle joint stable. Without surgery, the ankle joint may heal without being properly aligned. Over time, that can lead to ankle arthritis. A fibular fracture may also involve damage to the syndesmosis of the ankle.
Is a fibula stress fracture serious?
Fibular stress fractures are considered a “low-risk” stress fracture. It is rare for the fibula to completely crack in a manner we usually picture when thinking of a broken bone. There are no long term consequences from this injury if properly rehabilitated. – Eventually, pain is constant day and night.
Will walking on a stress fracture make it worse?
Stress fractures usually cause dull pain around the site of the fracture. This pain usually gets worse while exercising, walking, or standing.