Fibula Fracture Healing Time: Complete Healing Time for Fibula Fracture

Fibula Fracture Healing Time: Complete Healing Time for Fibula Fracture

Fibula Fractures Healing Time and Treatment

The fibula is the smaller bone of the two bones in the lower leg. It can be fractured in high impact activities or through trauma from accidents.

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  Fractures commonly happen in older females, this is a result of calcium depletion and low bone density
  
  


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  These are also common injuries in athletes
  
  


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  A fibular may also be a fibular fracture, which is a result of repeated loading on a leg
  
  


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  Fractures commonly happen on the lower third part of the fibula near the ankle
  
  


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  These fractures can either be open or closed, they can also be complete or incomplete
  
  


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  Stress fractures may also happen
  
  

Fibula Fracture Symptoms

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  Pain
  
  


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  Inability to use limb
  
  


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  Swelling
  
  


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  Tenderness
  
  


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  Crepitus – the distinctive sound made by broken bone, common in closed fractures
  
  


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  Open Wound
  
  

Fibula Fracture Treatment

Treatment is going to depend on the type and severity of the injury.


Treatment techniques common to all types include:

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  Rest
  
  


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  Limb immobilization – patients may be made to use crutches or use a wheelchair
  
  


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  Physical Rehabilitation
  
  

Other treatments include:

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  Cast Application – Can be done with all types of fractures, but is most common in closed fractures. This is an external fixation technique
  
  


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  Surgery – Internal fixation may be necessary for severe cases
  
  

Fibula Fractures Recovery Time

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  Stress Fractures – a stress fracture of the fibula has a healing time of around 6 to 8 weeks
  
  


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  Closed Fracture – These fractures that have been addressed by external fixation using a cast can heal in around the same time as stress fractures, 6 to 8 weeks
  
  

Open Fractures – These are usually more severe fractures and are often addressed with Open Reduction Internal Fixation (ORIF) surgery.


Recovery time for this type of fracture is going to depend on the extent of the damage, minor issues can heal in 8 weeks, in some cases, high impact activity is restricted for up to 10 or 12 weeks.

Also see Foot Stress Fractures & Healing Time for Tibial Fracture