Fractures of the fibula
Content:
- Types of fibula fractures
- Symptoms of a fibular fracture
- First aid for fractures of the fibula
- Diagnostics of the fractures of the fibula
- Tibia fracture treatment
- Rehabilitation after fractures of the fibula
Tibia fractures are injuries that result in a violation of the integrity of the bone structure. This element is part of the lower leg, it often happens that its fracture is accompanied by an injury to the tibia, located in close proximity to it. Such injuries are common and if we consider them in the total mass of fractures, then the share of shin injuries accounts for up to 20% of all cases.
As the causes leading to injury, doctors most often call various kinds of blows. They can be the result of falls, accidents, non-observance of safety precautions at the workplace, and can be caused by adverse weather conditions, the result of criminal incidents, etc.
Another factor that can be an indirect cause of a fracture is age. The older a person is, the more porous the structure of his bones, which means that they become more susceptible to such injuries.
Types of fibula fractures
There are several types of fractures of this element, which are determined by the following parameters:
- With displacement of fragments and without displacement.
- With and without fragments.
- Depending on the direction of the fracture line: transverse, oblique, spiral, fragmentary.
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Depending on the nature of the blow that led to the injury: it can be direct or indirect. The first is considered the most "light", since the bone most often remains intact, no fragments are formed, the prognosis for recovery is favorable. As a result of an indirect impact, on the contrary, often there is a displacement, and sometimes even crushing of the bone with damage to soft tissues, tendons, nerves and blood vessels. Treatment is difficult and lengthy, although most often the prognosis is also favorable.
Symptoms of a fibular fracture
Symptoms that are characteristic of the injury of this particular element:
- Painful sensations, localized mainly in the area of injury, with possible radiation to the knee or ankle joint.
- Swelling in the place where the injury occurred. More often, the swelling resembles the shape of a roller. Sometimes the swelling can spread throughout the lower leg and spread to the foot.
- The presence of a hematoma, which may not appear immediately, but after a few hours.
- If there is a displacement of fragments inside, then the limb will be deformed, this is especially noticeable with a pronounced discharge of fragments.
- Shortening of the limb, as a result of "pulling" the muscles to the site of injury.
- Deviation of the leg from the axis.
- Restriction of movement, inability to step on the injured leg. But if only the tibia was broken, then the person can even lean slightly on the limb.
- A feeling of numbness in the limb that occurs when the nerves are pinched.
First aid for fractures of the fibula
First aid to an injured person is pain relief. To do this, a person must be given any pain reliever, after which the leg should be immobilized. Any wooden beams, slats, sticks can be used as a means for primary immobilization (immobilization). The main thing is that they have the required length and strength.
When a suitable material is found, you need to adjust it to the size of the leg so that the tire starts from the middle of the thigh and ends in the heel. It is imperative to fix the leg in the knee and ankle joint; bandages or other improvised means are used for wrapping. After the leg is securely fixed, you should go with the victim to a doctor for the provision of qualified medical care.
Diagnostics of the fractures of the fibula
To clarify the diagnosis, the doctor will conduct a survey as to how, when and in what way the injury was received. This will make it possible to assess the force of the blow, its nature and direction. Such a survey will make it possible to make a preliminary diagnosis.
To clarify the nature and severity of the fracture, it will be necessary to take X-rays in two projections. After receiving a complete picture, you can proceed to fracture treatment.
Tibia fracture treatment
Treatment tactics will depend on the nature of the fracture. If there is no displacement of the fragments, then the process will not be too complicated. The doctor will restrict himself to applying a plaster cast, which will begin at the tips of the toes and end near the knee joint. Sometimes, as needed, the cast can be extended.
If there is a displacement of both bones of the lower leg, then their reduction will be required. In the most difficult cases, the doctor can insert pins into the bone, while fixing the fragments in the correct position using special metal structures.
The timing of the healing of the fibula depends on a number of factors: on the nature of the injury, on qualified and timely first aid, on the age of the victim, on adherence to medical recommendations regarding treatment, etc. Most often, the process of bone fusion takes 2 to 3 months. Callus appears after 6 weeks. When a displacement fracture occurs and both knee bones are affected, then the recovery process can be delayed and amount to an average of six months or even more.
On the subject: 12 popular ways for home treatment
Rehabilitation after fractures of the fibula
Many patients, after removing the cast, do not take the rehabilitation process seriously, ignoring it. This is not worth doing, since this is an important stage of recovery, without which a number of complications can arise.
In order for the leg to begin to function fully faster, it is necessary to perform a set of exercises that the doctor recommends. Typically, these are adapted movements that improve joint mobility, strengthen the leg muscles and tone them.
A visit to the massage room will be useful. If this is not possible, then rubbing and kneading must be done at home. For this, special ointments can be used. Compresses, salt baths, wax wraps and other procedures are also useful. But before proceeding with the implementation, you should definitely visit a doctor and clarify the possibility of their implementation.
Author of the article: Kaplan Alexander Sergeevich | Orthopedist
Education: diploma in the specialty "General Medicine" received in 2009 at the Medical Academy. I. M. Sechenov. In 2012 completed postgraduate studies in Traumatology and Orthopedics at the City Clinical Hospital named after Botkin at the Department of Traumatology, Orthopedics and Disaster Surgery.
