Problem with ankle fracture
I’ve a question about my broken ankle.
I’m a 26 year old male, underweight, but no health problems. I broke my ankle almost 3 weeks ago (stable spiral fracture of the distal fibula), and a second X-ray two days ago showed no change at all in that time. The initial swelling was very large and took a week to decrease.
Treatment is AirCast, the plastic/foam device.
However, the AirCast is quite heavy and when moving around its inertia causes some strain on the leg.
The cast is particularly poor at preventing twisting motion, and on occasion I’ve bumped it into things that have caused some extra dull pain in the ankle.
I’m worried about the possibility of non-union, and as I have to take care of myself, cook etc., it is impossible for me to just stay in bed immobilized.
I’ve brought my concerns to the doctor but all he could tell me is try to move less… What is the chance, given these circumstances, that the bone will fail to fuse properly?
I’m worried.
2 comments
May PT
There can be a few reasons why bones don’t fuse properly. Poor diet not giving the bones adequate nutrition to heal…poor stabilization, as you are aware of. Why didn’t your doc put a plaster cast on?? Call your doc and ask him why he/she did not choose to put on a plaster cast…if they have no good reason ask them if you can have one to prevent torsion in the air cast.
T Vasan
My husband fractured his ankle 3 weeks ago. The doctor diagonised it as a spiral fracture. He was adviced to wear a boot at all times.the boot was too heavy and was paining his ankle. He discontinued the use of the boot and uses crutches to move around. The swelling in the ankle has reduced a little but has not gone completely. The calf is also swollen. What advice can you givr him about how to take care of his ankleThank you.