fractured fibula

[Guinivere]

Fractured my fibula just about an inch below knee 4 weeks ago skiiing - no dispcaement so strapped it well and carried on skiing for the rest of the week as not too painful in ski boots - however I am finding it quite painful at night and really difficult to squat or rise from kneeling [kneeling itself is OK once I get into position]- as I am a physio working with young people with CP I need to be pretty mobile. I know I should know better than to strap and keep playing but I fell on the first day of my holiday so really wanted to keep going if possible- My question is how long should an undisplaced upper fibula fracture hurt for and am I OK to start now pushing the rotational mobility a bit so I can get my squatting ability back? I can fully weightbear on an extended leg -just loaded flexion thats causing problems

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[physiobob]

It's funny that i did the same thing on my left leg some yrs ago. Also skiing and coaching. I rested two days and then kept coaching for another 4 months, skiing hard every day. End result: limped for 2 yrs, patella tendonitis, meniscal irritation etc.

My advice is to rest and recover. You don't feel pain in loaded standing as the weight is fully orn by the tibia and ot the fibula. However once you squat the hamstring attachments and peroneals begin to pull on the fbbula and hence your fracture. Also when you squat the wider anterior ankle mortis causes spreading and rotation of the fibula. Basically all the things you don't need in the initial 6 weeks after a fracture. Add to that the fact the the peroneal nerve (pr branch) wraps around the proximal end of the fibula about the distance your fracture is from the end and you get a double whammy!

Light full squatting movements on something like a pilates reformer might be a useful way to initiate the return of the range of movement once your feel ready.

[Guinivere]

Many thanks,
Medial joint line has been a bit niggly this last week as week as well and I thought I was going a bit potty but your feedback suggests Im not imagining it. Im going to hold off on the squatting for another week and then introduce it slowly - definately going to start on tsome inner range quads tonight and will try jogging upright in the swimming pool at the weekend.
Thankyou again- wasnt sure if I was making heavy weather of it as Ive only fractured my little toe before and then it just needed strapping and mobilising on and was pain free in a couple of days.