About this topic
Your lower leg has two bones in it. The tibia is the larger bone in front of your leg. It supports your weight. The fibula is the smaller bone on the outside of the leg. The top of the fibula is part of the knee joint. The bottom of the fibula is part of the ankle joint. A fibular fracture happens when the fibula bone breaks. Most often, the fibula is broken near the ankle. The doctor will decide if you need surgery by the type of break, where the break is, and what other damage is done. There are a few types of fractures that can happen in the fibula: ‚
- The broken bones are lined up like they should be and stay in place. This is a nondisplaced or stable fracture.
- The broken bones are apart and do not line up like they should. This is a displaced fracture. This type often needs surgery.
- The bone is broken straight across. This is a transverse fracture.
- The bone is broken at an angle. This is an oblique fracture.
- This break happens when the bone is twisted. This is a spiral fracture.
- The broken bone is broken into 3 or more pieces. This is called a comminuted fracture.
- The broken bone is poking through the skin. This is an open fracture.
- The broken bone does not go through the skin This is a closed fracture.
- This type of fracture is a tiny crack in the bone most often caused by repeat use. This is a stress fracture.
- A piece of the bone gets pulled away when ligaments tear during an ankle sprain. This is called an avulsion fracture.
View OriginalView Original
View OriginalView Original
View OriginalView Original
What are the causes?
You may have a direct blow to the lower leg from a car crash or fall. Other times, this injury is caused by twisting the lower leg. Some breaks are caused by a sports injury like running into another player. Stress fractures can be caused by doing repeat impact activities such as distance running. ‚
What can make this more likely to happen?
- Playing contact sports
- Sports like snowboarding and skiing
- Older age
- A health problem where your bones become weak called osteoporosis
- Health problems such as high blood sugar or cancer in the bones
What are the main signs?
- Pain or sore when touched
- Bruising or swelling
- Lower leg or ankle looks deformed
- Bone bulging under or through the skin
- Not able to stand on the leg and walk
- Trouble moving your leg and foot
- Numbness in the foot
How does the doctor diagnose this health problem?
Your doctor will feel around your leg. Your doctor may also have you move your leg and foot in certain ways to check your motion and strength. Your doctor may also check to see if there is any numbness in the leg or foot. The doctor may order: ‚
How does the doctor treat this health problem?
The doctor will look at a few things to decide if you need surgery: ‚
- Type of break
- Overall health
- Your age
- How active you are
- How much other damage has been done
There are two types of surgery to fix a bone break: ‚
- Using rods, nails, plates, wires, pins, or screws to put the bone back together. This is called internal fixation.
- Using a metal frame outside the skin. The frame is attached to plates and screws above and below the break. This is called external fixation.
Whether or not you have surgery, the doctor may suggest: ‚
- Rest
- Ice
- Cast, splint, or brace
- Keeping the leg raised
- Crutches or walker to take the pressure off your injured leg
- Exercises
- Physical therapy (PT)
What drugs may be needed?
The doctor may order drugs to: ‚
- Help with pain and swelling
- Fight an infection
What problems could happen?
- Sharp bone pieces from the injury may cut or tear nearby muscles, nerves, or blood vessels.
- Too much swelling could lead to other problems.
- Bone infection
What can be done to prevent this health problem?
- Always wear a seat belt. Drive safely. Obey speed limits. Do not drink and drive.
- Stay active and work out to keep your muscles strong and flexible.
- Warm up slowly and stretch before you work out. Use good ways to train, such as slowly adding to how far you run. Do not work out if you are overly tired. Take extra care if working out in cold weather.
- Keep a healthy weight so there is not extra stress on your joints. Eat a healthy diet with calcium and vitamin D to keep your bones healthy.
- Wear the right equipment when playing sports.
Where can I learn more?
American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons ‚
http://orthoinfo.aaos.org/topic.cfm?topic=A00391 ‚
Consumer Information Use and Disclaimer
This information is not specific medical advice and does not replace information you receive from your health care provider. This is only a brief summary of general information. It does NOT include all information about conditions, illnesses, injuries, tests, procedures, treatments, therapies, discharge instructions or life-style choices that may apply to you. You must talk with your health care provider for complete information about your health and treatment options. This information should not be used to decide whether or not to accept your health care providers advice, instructions or recommendations. Only your health care provider has the knowledge and training to provide advice that is right for you. ‚
Copyright
Copyright ‚ © 2015 Clinical Drug Information, LLC and Lexi-Comp, Inc. ‚