How long does it take for a fibula spiral fracture to heal?
It and the tibia, the larger bone, therefore, support all of your weight when standing. Because of this and unlike other types of injuries and conditions, a broken fibula usually requires six weeks to three months before patients are able to return to their normal routine.
Can you walk on a spiral fracture?
Even after the cast or brace is removed, most people still need to limit movement in the affected limb. In the case of leg injuries, a walker or crutches may be used for a few weeks or months after casts or braces are removed. In total, it often takes between 4 and 6 months for a full recovery from a spiral fracture.
Can a broken fibula heal in 4 weeks?
Fibula Healing, Quickly and Completely Fibular fracture treatment usually takes four to six weeks, as long as the patient doesn’t try to return to action too soon. Complications are uncommon, and include: Non-union of a bone that doesn’t ‘knit’ back together. Bone heals in an awkward position.
How are spiral fractures healed?
A spiral fracture is usually treated right away with surgery. After the surgery, a cast may be worn. Most spiral fractures involve the long bones of the legs such as the femur, tibia and fibula, but can also include the long bones of the arm including the humerus, ulna and radius.
Do spiral fractures take longer to heal?
How long it takes you to heal depends on the severity of your fracture and which treatments you needed. Most people need a few months to recover from a spiral fracture. There are lots of factors that can affect how long it takes your body to heal.
What is the fastest way to heal a broken fibula?
Fracture home tips
- Rest the fractured bone and elevate it while it’s in the cast.
- Use your crutches to avoid putting weight on your injury.
- Consume a diet high in nutrients such as vitamin D, calcium, and zinc for bone recovery.
- Make sure you’re getting enough calories and protein.
Are spiral fractures common?
While spiral fractures can occur in any long bone, they are most commonly found in the tibia. When these fractures occur in preschool-age children, they are referred to as toddler’s fractures. Toddler’s fractures are a common sign of physical abuse because they are a result of jerking or forceful twisting of a limb.
Why is a spiral fracture considered as being suspicious?
Spiral fractures arise as a result of a twisting force applied to the bone. For a long time, such fractures were seen as particularly suspicious for abuse because for the twisting force to be applied, violence from another person was seen as the prerequisite.
Can you still walk with a broken fibula?
Because the fibula is not a weight-bearing bone, your doctor might allow you walk as the injury recovers. You also might be advised to use crutches, avoiding weight on the leg, until the bone heals because of the fibula’s role in ankle stability.
Is it OK to walk on a fractured fibula?
Why is walking difficult when the fibula is broken?
The ligaments and the interosseous membrane have a little flexibility in them, to allow the ankle joint and the two bones to move during walking and motion of the ankle. The fibula can bend slightly and it can also rotate within its ligament. It can also slides up and down during ankle motion; inward and outward.
What does a spiral fracture look like?
In a spiral fracture, the broken bone resembles a corkscrew or a winding staircase, because the break happens diagonally across a bone that is longer than it is wide. For a bone to break this way, the force that results in the break is usually considered high energy, meaning it’s caused by a great force.