Non displaced Fibular Ankle Fracture Treated With Immobilization

What is Non displaced Fibular Ankle Fracture Treated With Immobilization

A nondisplaced fibular ankle fracture is a simple break of the bottom of the fibula (lateral malleolus).

The fibula is a bone in the lower leg, between the knee and the foot. In a nondisplaced fracture, the pieces of the broken bone line up with each other and are not out of place.

This condition usually does not need surgery and can be treated with a splint or cast.

Stable ankle fractures can be successfully managed nonoperatively.

Unstable fractures on the other hand should be treated surgically as operative management consistently leads to better outcomes.

How to define stability in ankle fractures continues to be a controversial issue.

Better understanding of the mechanism of injury as well as improved knowledge of ankle biomechanics now enables surgeons to define stability after isolated fractures of the distal fibula with high accuracy.

What are the causes?

This condition may be caused by:

• A hard, direct hit (blow) or injury to the side of the leg.
• A powerful twisting or rotating movement.
• Rolling the ankle.
• Falling or tripping.

What increases the risk?

You are more likely to develop this condition if:

• You play sports that involve a lot of running and pivoting, such as basketball.
• You play impact sports, such as football or soccer.
• You smoke.
• You have diabetes.
• You have a history of ankle fractures.
• You are obese.

What are the signs or symptoms?

Symptoms of this condition include:

• Severe pain that begins immediately after the injury.
• Bruising.
• Swelling.
• Inability to put weight on the injured ankle.
• An ankle that is tender to the touch.

How is this diagnosed?

This condition is diagnosed based on:

• Your medical history.
• A physical exam.
• Imaging tests to confirm the fracture and to evaluate the extent of the injury. These tests may include:
  • X-rays.
  • Stress X-ray. During this test, your health care provider will put pressure on your ankle while taking an X-ray. This will help to determine whether your ankle is stable.
  • CT scan.
  • MRI.

How is this treated?

This condition may be treated with:

• A splint.
• Icing and raising (elevating) the ankle.
• A cast.
• A removable cast or walking “boot.”
• Crutches. These may be needed to help you get around.

Follow these instructions at home:

Managing pain, stiffness, and swelling

• If directed, put ice on the injured area.
  • If you have a removable splint or cast, remove it as told by your health care provider.
  • Put ice in a plastic bag.
  • Place a towel between your skin and the bag, or between your cast and the bag.
  • Leave the ice on for 20 minutes, 2–3 times a day.
• Raise (elevate) the injured area above the level of your heart while you are sitting or lying down.
• Move your toes often to avoid stiffness and to lessen swelling.
• Use crutches as directed. Resume walking without crutches as directed by your health care provider or when you are comfortable doing that.

If you have a removable splint or cast:

• Wear the removable splint or cast as told by your health care provider. Remove it only as told by your health care provider.
• Loosen the splint or cast if your toes tingle, become numb, or turn cold and blue.
• Keep the splint or cast clean.
• If the splint or cast is not waterproof:
  • Do not let it get wet.
  • Cover it with a watertight covering when you take a bath or a shower.

If you have a cast that cannot be removed:

• Do not stick anything inside the cast to scratch your skin. Doing that increases your risk of infection.
• Check the skin around the cast every day. Contact your health care provider if you notice any redness, irritation, or swelling.
• You may put lotion on dry skin around the edges of the cast. Do not put lotion on the skin underneath the cast.
• Keep the cast clean.
• Do not break off edges or trim your cast.
• If the cast is not waterproof:
  • Do not let it get wet.
  • Cover it with a watertight covering when you take a bath or a shower.

Activity

• Do exercises and stretches as told by your health care provider.
• Ask your health care provider when it is safe to drive if you have a cast or splint on your ankle.
• Do not drive or use heavy machinery while taking prescription pain medicine.

General instructions

• Take over-the-counter and prescription medicines only as told by your health care provider.
• Do not take baths, swim, or use a hot tub until your health care provider approves. Ask your health care provider if you can take showers. You may only be allowed to take sponge baths for bathing.
• Do not use the injured leg to support your body weight until your health care provider says that you can. Use crutches as told by your health care provider.
• Do not use any products that contain nicotine or tobacco, such as cigarettes and e-cigarettes. These can delay bone healing. If you need help quitting, ask your health care provider.
• Keep all follow-up visits as told by your health care provider. This is important.

• Your cast gets damaged or it breaks.
• Your pain does not get better with medicine.

Get help right away if:

• You develop severe pain or more swelling in your ankle or foot that cannot be controlled with medicines.
• Your skin or nails below the injury turn blue or gray, feel cold, or become numb.
• The skin under your cast burns or stings.
• There is a bad smell or pus coming from under the cast.
• You cannot move your toes.

Summary

• A nondisplaced fibular ankle fracture is a simple break of the bottom of a bone in the lower leg (fibula).
• This condition may be treated with a splint, icing and elevation, a cast, or a removable cast or walking “boot.” You may also need crutches to get around while your ankle heals.
• To help manage pain, stiffness, swelling, put ice on the injured area as directed by your health care provider.
• You should not use the injured leg to support your body weight until your health care provider says that you can. Use crutches as told by your health care provider.