Hairline Fracture in Medial Malleolus ( Lower Tibia) Discussion :'(

Hey patti , hope you're good now. What is the progress ? And if it has been time , when did you resume your normal routines ?

Did you have a trimalleolar fracture too? What week are you at now?

I would say you start feeling more normal by week 13, but I think to be normal completely will take 12 months realistically from everything I have read. When you can walk unassisted, which for me was about week 13, you get the use of your arms back, which allows you to do normal things. It is such a great feeling, even if your ankle and foot still hurt, and you aren't fully healed, and you are still sort of hobbling around.

Here are more details if you are interested:

I am 56 and a nonsmoker (I keep hearing how important that fact is with bone healing) and ate all the healing foods I could get my hands on (green leafy vegetables, nonfat yogurts and cottage cheese, bone broth, pumpkin and pumpkin seeds, broccoli, lean meats, berries, decaf coffee only). An anti-inflammatory diet is a good one for general health.

Here has been my path so far, and everyone's is different, so just use it as one example:

2/16-  Hammock accident

2/17- ORIF surgery out of state

10 days- Leg dressing until staples and stitches came out. Ordered knee scooter...best decision ever.

Cast for 7 weeks- (they changed the cast every 2 weeks because it got loose every two weeks). Most people don't get casted, that is just what the orthopedic dept. I went to did. Cast needed to be sliced down the sides for plane travel (so if my leg swelled it would not cause a stroke). Told to take baby aspirins every day for this year and strong full sized aspirins two days before and after air travel to prevent chance of stroke. I did weight lifting from this point on for my upper body, which I think helped pump blood through my body for healing. I didn't take any medication whatsoever during this phase, as I had very little pain. That changed when I started walking and doing PT.

In approx. the 6th week of wearing the cast, they put a black open topped shoe on the bottom of my foot and told me to bear weight 25% only, which was sort of tap on the floor using crutches or better yet a walker (easier to control weight bearing that way). 

In week 7, the cast came off and I was a given an air cam boot and told to increase WB 25% each week and continue to try to walk with crutches. It seemed easiest to go from 25-75% and hardest to go from 75%-100%.

At week 10 I started physical therapy.

I am in week 14-1/2 and still wear the boot when I go out or want to walk quickly.  It took me about 4 weeks (increasing by 25% each week approx) to walk without crutches or any aid. (Actually, my first steps were at week 10-1/2, but I couldn't do it well). I could start to walk regularly for a several minutes at a time without aid at weeks 12-13. Now I can walk a bit better without aid, at week 14-1/2, but my foot/leg still isn't quite strong enough to be in shoes 24/7. I only use crutches at night when I get up to go to the bathroom. I am gradually increasing the strength and have been told to get into tennis shoes full time at week 16 with a soft lace up brace inside. Everything I have read says week 16 brings a lot of improvement, if you do not have any complications (non-union, problems with the other leg, misdiagnosis, RSD etc.). My heart goes out to those who have experienced complications, but with time I feel everyone will heal. Never underestimate the body and it's resiliency. It is so tough to be patient though. It's very trying on the soul. Research says being unhappy really affects healing, so it's best to look at the brighter side of the situation and to remember it really is temporary. Go outside, get sunshine, watch comedies, look up funny things online, hang out with friends, get out of your room and do things. 

Btw, my hardest week was week 3, when I felt worried I would never walk again and then I read stories about wounded vets and those in dire conditions without limbs etc., and I hunkered down, and realized this was going to take time and I had to let go of life as I had known it for some time and be patient. I think it was around then I found this great site.

Wishing the best for your recovery.

Hey Patti !

No , Mine wasnt a trimalleolar fracture.

It is a Hairline/Stress Fracture of the inner ankle bone ( medial mallelous).

Im in week 9 next week ( exactly) cast comes off. Cz the doc has seen the xray and told me it has healed and just gave this "bonus" time. He told me no need for an xay. I'll come there , and he'll put the cast off.

He had comforted me that I'll be able to play In June that is post 2 months the break ( broke it on 25 March ). The xray just shows a slight crack of the bone , Slight ..and what it did to me.I just cannot imagine how yours but i believe you're doing well.

Maybe my age will be an advantage ? ( 16 ) Do you think ..im just asking..i can return to basketball next month ? That is Approx 13 weeks post a stress/hairline fracture of the medial malleolus ( due to overtraining :'( ) ?

Cheers ! And im glad to look at your positivity and i know you're gonna be healthy soon !

Hi Yashmoon!  I hope you will be able to get back to basketball really soon. I know you must be going bonkers waiting for this- I would have been at 16 for sure- and it has been no piece of cake at my age either to muster up patience! I'm wondering if you should be a little cautious to rush it too much though, where you end up going backwards. Jumping may be tough right away. Your doctor and physical therapist should have a better idea how long it should take. I would think with your youth and the single bone stress fracture, you should be doing really well soon. I find it interesting you have had a cast for 9 weeks- am I reading that right? I had my cast for 7 weeks, which was pretty long, and it took a good 4-5 weeks to walk without crutches (because my foot got kind of weak and I had to restrengthen it, and my tendons got really tight and kind of frozen from nonuse all that time in the cast, and when that happens you have to stretch them all back out to get them working and it takes a little while) and now at week 15 I am having a big turning point and able to walk around without the boot a lot now. I am working hard on being able to walk on my tiptoes, to regain some extra strength I need to walk faster and down stairs easier, as I can't do that yet, but I feel really good at this point and can see the light at the end of the tunnel finally. My overall body strength is returning very quickly now too (you get kind of out of shape at any age by the lack of physical activity). I bet being so young, you will be able to get your foot and the tendons back in shape much faster. I have a feeling you will be back playing really soon. Hang in there. Sometimes the ankle just has a timeline of it's own and you need to measure progress week by week vs. day by day. Please let us know how it goes when the cast comes off....so exciting!!

Hey Patti !

Cast was Removed yesterday ! Please read my new discussion

Oh no ! Im so sorry.

Hope things are good. Has it healed ? If it did when did you return to sports ? Im really impatient, i have got a match next month.

dear, after the full medication and care, i was able to heal my leg completely in 3 months, got back to work too. But I feel much pain in winter seasons. Recently, i started my work outs, but it was a bit harsh for my ankle. So, now back to medication and stretching . So the basic is once you heal, start with slow pressure, build up your muscle strength and then only go for heavier or strenous exercise, otherwise it may resurface. If you are playing your game, know the right techniques which gives you efficiency without hurting your leg.. go for the best coach.. your body will go stronger as your will know your body more and what works for you .. hope you are taking med in time and having a healthy diet. get well soon!

Thank You so much for responding. Yes , I have been taking Calcium tablets , bio mass and vitamin D capsules.

And I recently discovered that I have high Uric Acid Levels. New meds for that.This inactive lifestyle is a major cause.

Well I hope you return to your pre break routine. Cheers.

Indian right..

Get an "Even up" to walk evenly.

hope for the same! cheers! 

If you are in a walking boot, get an "Even up" so you don't put too much uneven pressure on your leg and you will probably be fine.

Hey !

Had my cast removed yesterday please read new discussion

i will buy it. thanks !

good..to know. Be careful about your foot and ensure that your foot doesnot bear unnecessary pressure..