Fibula fracture, Causes Signs symptoms Treatment of Fibula fracture
Complete or partial breakage in the continuity of fibula is called as fibula fracture. Fibula is the bone below the knee along with tibia. Fibula displacement and fibula fracture are the common injuries to the fibula bone. A severe ankle sprain causes fibula fracture. The fibula fracture may occur at any part of the fibula bone. Nearly 15 % of body weight is beard by fibula and the fracture is not severe as other weight bearing fractures. Neurovascular structures and the ligaments between tibia and fibula are damaged during fibula fracture.
Causes of Fibula fracture
- Football players are prone to have fibula fracture.
- Falls in children, players and old ages also causes fibula fracture.
- Most of fibula fractures are not identified easily and some individuals live with fibula fracture with mild pain for long time.
- Some individuals feel pain at fibula after some months of fibula fracture.
- Patients with fibula fracture can walk with minor discomfort as the fibula bone bears less body weight.
- Orthopedic surgeon should assess the fibula fracture carefully to know the severity of fibula fracture.
- Hairline crack in the fibula or small fracture in fibula is caused because of stress and is called as stress fibula fracture.
- Muscles traction and twisting forces placed on the fibula bone from the surrounding muscles causes stress fibula fracture.
- Fibula fracture may be associated with tibia fracture or ankle fracture.
- These are the main causes of fibula fracture.
Signs and symptoms of Fibula fracture
- Pain in the injured lower leg is the main symptom of fibula fracture.
- Tenderness and swelling in the area below knee, near calf muscle,
- Bleeding and bruising at fractured site, especially with compound fracture.
- Difficulty to bear weight on fibula injured leg,
- Visible bone fragments are seen along with damage to skin in case of complete or compound fracture,
- Numbness of lower leg if the blood supply and nerve damage occurred during fracture.
- Coldness of the affected leg and distal end of fracture site, as the blood supply is altered. These are the main signs and symptoms of fibula fracture.
Treatment of Fibula fracture and Management
Treatment is given on the nature of fracture and severity of fibula fracture. Elevation of fractured leg is the Initial treatment for fibula fracture, and ice packs are applied to relieve pain and reduce swelling of injured area. Reduce further dislocation of injured bone. Immobilization of affected victim is important.
If the bone is broken, plaster cast is applied to enhance healing of fibula fracture and the duration of cast application is up to 8 weeks. When the fibula fracture is compound, surgery is done to correct the deformity and a rod, plate or screws are fixed at fibula fracture site as per need. Walking with crutches is suggested during recovery period. A plastic stirrup-type brace, cast or walking boot is often recommended to treat fibula fracture.
Exercises should be done after the fibula fracture is healed. Exercises such as stretching and strengthening of injured leg, etc are done and exercises should enhance blood supply to the area. Physiotherapy is very helpful in restoring leg function after treating fibula fracture.
RICE principle is used to reduce swelling, pain and inflammation in case of acute fractures.
- Rest: Adequate rest is needed to correct the deformity, and walk should be assisted with crutches to lessen the weight on injured leg and to enhance better healing.
- Ice: Ice pack is applied every two to three hours of 15 to 20 minutes during the first 72 hours of fibula fracture.
- Compression: Use an ace wrap on the leg. Start at the bottom of the toes and wrap up to the upper end of knee.
- Elevation: Ankle of fibula injured leg should be elevated above the level of victims heart while sitting or lying down to enhance venous return to heart from lower extremity.