Fibula Spiral Fracture
Took a bad fall last night off of concrete porch.
Incredible pain. Xray showed spiral fracture in fibula and severe sprain in right ankle. Actually, both ankles are pretty bad. They put fracture in a splint from knee to toe and wrapped the other ankle in a heavy bandage.
They sent me home with super strength vicodine, crutches, and told me not to put any weight on the splinted leg for six to eight weeks.
Took a cab home and fell again trying to use the crutches.
There is so much pain in right foot, that I have to use the broken leg to move at all – like going to the bathroom.
I live alone and can not call on anyone to help me. If I put weight on the fractured leg, not too much because the pain is unbearable, will I lose any function in my leg? Also, did the emergency room put the splint on as a temporary measure and I am supposed to get a cast from my regular HMO? I’m trying to figure hout if I can see my regular doctor on Monday since I don’t think I can get down the stairs to my car.
Im using my mother’s walker that I keep here to move around because I’m afraid I’ll kill myself on those crutches.This is the second major fall I’ve had in two weeks.
Im 58. Can you suggest anything….. Thank you so much..and I apologize for going on too long, but I’m kind limited to resources right now.
3 comments
F . Sayyarpoor
Hi : This is the voice of a concerned father.My 10 year old daughther had her tibia fractured from the middle, there were complete seperation and dislocation.Her fibula was also bent.Doctor has straighten the fibula and moved the tibia to about 85% of its original position, not attempting an open surgery, put her leg in cast,sent her home to rest with her leg elevated.Is 85% sufficient so she doesnot suffer any leg deformation?Will calcium(500mg/day) be of any help? Doctor has also advised us to help her walking in 4 days using crutches without putting any weight on her left leg,however,she complains of pain, there is no swelling or discoloration in day-6. Howlong should she wear the cast? What are some ways that I can help my only child to gain her health? Please help!!!
paul
: Took a bad fall last night off of concrete porch. Incredible pain. Xray showed spiral fracture in fibula and severe sprain in right ankle. Actually, both ankles are pretty bad. They put fracture in a splint from knee to toe and wrapped the other ankle in a heavy bandage. They sent me home with super strength vicodine, crutches, and told me not to put any weight on the splinted leg for six to eight weeks. Took a cab home and fell again trying to use the crutches. There is so much pain in right foot, that I have to use the broken leg to move at all – like going to the bathroom. I live alone and can not call on anyone to help me. If I put weight on the fractured leg, not too much because the pain is unbearable, will I lose any function in my leg? Also, did the emergency room put the splint on as a temporary measure and I am supposed to get a cast from my regular HMO? I’m trying to figure hout if I can see my regular doctor on Monday since I don’t think I can get down the stairs to my car. I;m using my mother’s walker that I keep here to move around because I’m afraid I’ll kill myself on those crutches.: This is the second major fall I’ve had in two weeks. I;m 58. Can you suggest anything….. Thank you so much..and I apologize for going on too long, but I’m kind limited to resources right now. sounds like some bad luck. the cast they put on at the hospital usually is a temp. you do need to see your doc on monday and he will refer you to a orthopedic doctor. if the bones are still aligned you will not need surgery but, if you continue to place weight on a broken bone not only will it not heal but it may also become out of line.
Meg
Call another doctor. When I was 12, I had a similar injury. The first doctor mashed it together and said I’d just have to plan on one leg being a little shorter than the other. The pain was so bad that I literally couldn’t move and was having regular full-body muscle spasms. My parents called another doctor, who took one look at the x-rays, saw that the pain was caused by the edges of the bone rubbing against each other as they moved, and immediately performed surgery. 15 years later, my leg is fine and strong, and the three screws are still in there, causing no problem. My legs are the same length. Don’t let anyone tell you that 85% is good enough for a 10-year-old. Surgery may not be necessary, but if she’s in pain get a second opinion. Good luck!