Medial Malleolar Fracture and Fibial Fracture, NWB - Concerned about DVT

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Last Saturday, I fractured my ankle in a skiing accident. Specifically, it was an oblique medial malleolar fracture of my left ankle, and a small (I couldn't see it on the x-ray) fracture of the fibula. I have been non-weight bearing, in a fiberglass cast. I just went to day for my first follow-up to assess the need for surgery.

The fractures were non-displaced, and one week on, the x-rays still looked good. Ortho said that nothing she could do surgically could improve upon the position the bones were already in. She advised follow up in 3 weeks (4 weeks post injury) for additional x-rays and possible transition to a boot. 

I've been bed-ridden for the full week, spending 18-20 hours per day in bed, with my leg elevated. This is the only position I can find relief. 

During today's visit, in a sort of footnote, she asked "Have you been taking aspirin?" I hadn't, nor had anyone told me to--including the PA who applied the cast, nor the ER doctors. She gave me an overview of DVT and (albeit correctly) warned "if you feel pain in your calf, go to the ER, this could kill you." 

The problem is that I have felt pain in my calf, which I thought was merely muscular, and associated with the injury itself, or due to the fact that the muscle hasn't been stretched. I didn't really know how to respond to her question, because the entire lower leg is sore. So I took her message under advisement, bought the aspirin, and went about my day. 

A new cast was applied. It was a bit too tight and had some pinch points, so I returned several hours later and had a recasting. This time I saw the PA-C. I expressed my concern about the calf pain in light of the ortho's warning. She had the cast remove, palpated the calf a bit and told me that it didn't look swollen, or red, and that typically a DVT would present with progressively worsening pain that would not subside with elevation. She would also expect to see swelling in the calf, which was not present. In essence, she said that she was not at all suspicious of DVT under the circumstance. I specifically asked if I should be on a blood thinner, and she said no. She added that many orthos don't even advise aspirin, but they do (325mg x 2 daily) for short leg casts.

Anyway, I'm still concerned about where to go from here. The internet is replete with stories of tragedies and near-tragedies resultant from DVT arising out of lower limb injuries. My concern is that any ultrasound at this point will require cutting the cast again or going to the ER. Should I wait to see if it gets worse? Should I continue pursuing this mild calf discomfort now? Is it possible that this is just muscular from the immobility and the injury itself?

I am 32, male, non-smoker, healthy BMI. Any thoughts or advice would be greatly appreciated. I would very much not like to meet my untimely death due to a broken ankle. 

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3 Replies

  • Posted

    I can't advise as have no medical knowledge but would say that statistically DVT after fracture is probably quite rare. Aspirin might be a good blood thinner but it delays bone healing. Some pain and discomfort is inevitable. For me, simply keeping leg elevated caused discomfort in calf (now over8 weeks post fracture and no cast)

  • Posted

    Hope someone with more knowledge comes along soon to reassure you.
    • Posted

      Thanks rfoot. Yeah, I've noticed that maybe it's the mere fact of keeping it elevated that is causing muscular strain perhaps. 

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