Lateral malleolus fracture
Posted , 3 users are following.
I twisted my ankle on 7/5 and was told I have a tiny fracture at the end of the fibula and given a walking boot with crutches but no clear guidance on when to remove the boot. At the end of the third week I was without the boot and tripped on a step but the pain was excruciating and an x-ray showed I'd broken it more. Again a boot and crutches but this time I'm being seen in 10days at fracture clinic but same as before, no clear advice on how to walk on it or if I should. I tried walking without the boot yesterday but today I have pain just above my ankle bone on the fibula (it's not part of the pain I had originally) and also a pulling at the back of my ankle. Is this usual with a broken ankle? Also any guidance on how much I should rest or walk on it?
0 likes, 2 replies
kpower tif_72133
Posted
Hi Tif,
You shouldn't be weight bearing (walking, standing) on a broken bone at all. Typically, broken ankle bones heal strongly enough for some weight bearing by 6 weeks or so.
So sad your attending physician left you in the dark about proper protocol in managing a broken ankle-- about proper use of air boot and no weight on ankle until x-rays show it can withstand the pressure. If your story is really correct that sounds appalling.
You should be communicating with your practitioner about clear instructions from here on. Good luck to you.
tif_72133 kpower
Posted
Hi kpower, thanks for your reply. After the first break I was discharged from clinic without being seen so i rang them for info and was told to give it a couple of weeks and come off the boot - that's all. But this time the nurse said "weight bear as pain allows" so yesterday (day 6) I tried and I've now got a lot of pain today in my ankle and swelling.
Still have 6 days until I'm seen by the consultant so I'm in limbo until then.