Fibula fracture rehabilitation

[Lori28]

Six weeks ago, I took a fall which resulted in a broken right leg/ankle.

On the paperwork I have, it says that I have a closed, non-displaced spiral fracture of the lateral malleolus distal fibula.

I was put in a knee-high non weight bearing cast for six weeks (on crutches the whole time). The cast came off a couple of days ago and I have been put in a walking boot. I was told to wear it for four weeks and that I could take it off to bath. The doctor said to stay on the crutches for as long as I need, gradually putting more weight on it until it doesn't hurt to put weight on and to go back in four weeks for another xray. They said I may still need the boot for another 2-4 weeks after that.

I was told that it was a "good" and simple break, so I am a bit gutted that it is going to take so long to get me back on my feet.

My ankle is still very painful - it is very swollen around the ankle and my foot and it is very bruised still. I'm still using the crutches and putting some weight on it, but it is very painful. I'm worried that there's some muscle/ligament/tissue/etc damage as well?

When I had the cast taken off, they didn't tell me whether there are any exercises I should be doing to strengthen it or anything like that. They basically said to just leave the boot on for four weeks. So my question is - Is there anything I should be doing in the meantime to strengthen my ankle/leg? Should I see a physio, or will my rehabilitation be after the boot comes off?

Thanks for any advice you can give.

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[spartakos]

I have the exact same problem with my fibula, 6 weeks NWB and now I'm on an aircast boot with partial weight bearing. Doctor gave me the exact same advices but didn't mention anything about physio at the moment. Any advice?

[finchr]

Try walking different directions in chest high water in a pool to take some of the weight off the foot. Get out of the pool on the side so you can dry your foot/leg and put your boot on. If this works then work slowly into the shallower end. Even with a walking boot you can do a recumbent stepper or 4-way hip or seated knee exercises ( LAQ and HSC ). With the Sx you mention it is very possible you did injure surrounding soft tissue as well. You are the patient. If it gives you peace of mind see the doctor again and voice your concerns. Sometimes after an jury like this bone integrity comes first and soft tissue problems may wash out with time or require more of an investigation.

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Spiral Fx can be a booger but xrays indicate the healing progress. In general, weight bearing at the appropriate time is good/stimulating for bone growth . One thing at a time