The fibula, one of the two long bones that are present in our lower leg is known to bear around 17% of our body’s weight. It is one of the bones that are prone to break the most. In this post, our focus will be on discussing fibula fractures including their types, causes, diagnosis, and treatment.
Fibula fractures occur when more pressure is applied on the bone than it can bear. A break in the tibia can cause debilitating complications like difficulty in walking, pain, swelling, and deformity around the fracture site. This condition can also cause issues with the stability of the leg, ankle, and muscles in the leg. In severe cases, Trauma Implants and instruments may be used during surgical intervention.
Types of Fibula Fractures
Fibula fractures can occur in different locations like around the ankle, middle of the leg, or the knee, and this depends upon the cause of the break. Besides this, recovery time and treatment procedure will also vary according to the type of fracture. Some of the common types of fibula fractures include:
- Lateral malleolus fracture
- Stress fracture
- Shaft fracture
- Avulsion fracture
- Fibular head fracture
Symptoms of Fibula Fractures
Fractures are always painful, and in most cases, swelling is also experienced. Besides all this, there are also other symptoms seen in the case of fibula fractures depending upon the site and severity. Here are some of the common symptoms noticed besides pain & swelling:
- Deformity around the fracture site
- Bruising
- Tenderness
- Difficulty in walking
- Inability put weight on the injured leg
- Numbness or tingling (in the case of neurovascular injury)
- Pain in the tibia and other parts of the leg if a compound fracture is there
Causes of Fibula Fractures
There are multiple causes of fibula fractures where some are traumatic, and some are non-traumatic. Automobile accidents like car or bike crashes, contact sports injuries, falls, and direct impact to the bone are among the traumatic causes of fibula fractures. while on the other hand, when it comes to non-traumatic causes, then aging and conditions like osteoporosis are on the cards. Osteoporosis is a condition in which bones become porous & brittle, and hence, they are more prone to getting fractured.
Diagnosis of Fibula Fractures
A physical examination is often performed at first during the diagnosis of fibula fractures. Here, the healthcare service provider looks for visible symptoms that may include deformity around the fractured site, movements that cause pain, swelling, bruising, and tenderness. The range of motion of the leg is also examined carefully. Besides this, the healthcare service provider also asks for symptoms experienced to study the condition better.
Now, to confirm the severity and location of the fracture, imaging tests like X-ray, CT scan, MRI, and/or bone scan are performed.
Treatment of Fibula fractures
Treatment of all fractures including the ones that occur in the fibula depends upon how severe the fracture is along with the exact location of the break.
Non-Surgical Treatment
Simple fractures that are mild can be fixed without surgery. In such situations, the healthcare service provider performs closed reduction, if required, and a cast for immobilization and stabilization may also be applied later. In certain cases, a splint may be applied. To manage pain and inflammation, the doctor will prescribe analgesics and NSAIDs.
Surgical Treatment
Surgery is often recommended when the fracture is severe and non-surgical ways cannot fix the condition. Open reduction and internal fixation is one of the commonest surgical techniques that is used to fix a fracture. It involves the use of Ortho Surgical Implants depending upon the location and severity of the break. The recovery period also varies according to the severity and type of treatment provided.
