Fibula Fracture

Hello Batu,

It is very important to work closely with your doctor on proper treatment. If your doctor won't open up and discuss all aspects of your injury and treatment then it is time to go doctor shopping.

You're lucky you have a simple oblique fibula fracture-- no surgery required. But it is crucial that you keep that ankle immobilized as long as x-rays and doctor's expert opinion demand.

Period of non-weight bearing is usually an attending physician's call based on x-ray evidence of bone mending and based on their experience and judgement. Usually a patient goes from NWB to partial weight bearing (in a boot), and then to full weight bearing. Again, it depends on how fast you are healing and a doctor's opinion. Doctor's opinions can very widely from one doctor to another-- there doesn't always seem to be a rhyme or reason for ranges of opinions.

For a successful recovery, you need to determine extent of ligament damage that may also have occurred in a fibula fracture. Again, if ligaments were torn it will be necessary to protect ankle until they are ready for full weight-bearing and movement. Otherwise, you may risk ankle instability from unhealed soft tissue, and the possibility of arthritis (and possible reconstructive surgery) later on.

This all may seem very boring but you need to take your injury seriously.

Are you a Weber B? I ask because it looks a bit higher than mine (which is graded as a Weber A). Your NWB requirements sound similar to mine. I was originally assessed at needing 6 weeks, it was later reduced to 4 weeks due to my progress with ankle ROM exercises (NWB ones). I had plaster for a week and then an aircast, which I highly recommend if you can get them to prescribe one (as it allows you to do daily ROM exercises on your ankle which will speed things up when you are allowed to start weight bearing). I used an iWalk 2.0 instead of crutches (its a knee crutch). You might want to look into that as it would give you a lot more freedom during the NWB phase (having hands free is great, and once you get the hang of it, walking is easy).

I went from NWB to fully weight bearing in my boot in three days (no crutches at the end of that). I believe that to be on the speedy end of the usual time ranges. I attribute it to keeping my upper body and legs in good condition with the knee crutch. At 6 weeks I was allowed to walk without the boot. I just did it... no crutches were needed. I just made sure I had a very supportive pair of shoes (I went with a spendy new pair of backpacking/hiking boots as hiking is my sport of choice).

I had atrophy in the lower right leg only and with intensive sports med physio-therapy it is improving a lot. I'm currently 9 weeks post injury and at about 80-85% of normal now I'd estimate.