Broken Fibula

[Duncan R]

So sorry to read that Roy, though I think this thread is very useful in terms of expectation management & practical info. Good luck with the recovery mate.

[Roy Scott]

Just over two weeks since fracturing my Fibula, I have had the cast off and now have an air cast that I can remove. Last week was very worrying as the follow up X ray revealed that the fracture gap had widened and that pinning via an operation might be required. Today hwever the X-ray was positive and had closed up well.

My foot is still swollen quite considerably but the most disturbing aspect is the amount of calf wastage on my right side. Will progressively put weight on it now over the next few weeks. Any advice on managing swelling?

Thanks for the messages everyone.

I will keep posting what works for me as a post to follow is comforting when you find yourself in the same situation.

[Hyporunner]

Sorry to hear about your injury, Roy. You were having a great season this year, road and fell. All the best with the recovery.

[Kim]

Hi Roy, how is the ankle? I haven't been on the forum for a while as ankle has been good for a couple of months now. I broke my ankle last November and I did my first trail race in April although very slowly....2 weeks ago I did a 12 hour adventure race and last weekend I took part in 17 mile trail race and went mountain biking the following day all without any pain or problems. I would say it took a good 6 months for everything to feel normal again but cycling really has been a big part of my recovery and running on the flat was a lot easier than running on the hills. I wore plaster for 6 weeks so there wasn't as much swelling when I took it off although I would guess putting ice on it might be a good idea. If it helps fitter people do tend to recover a lot quicker. One other thing to check (particularly if you wear orthotics) is to see if your running gait has changed..I am waiting for a new orthotic for my right shoe as my gait has changed a bit and some of the hip pain I was getting was due to that.

Kim

[Roy Scott]

Hi Roy, how is the ankle? I haven't been on the forum for a while as ankle has been good for a couple of months now. I broke my ankle last November and I did my first trail race in April although very slowly....2 weeks ago I did a 12 hour adventure race and last weekend I took part in 17 mile trail race and went mountain biking the following day all without any pain or problems. I would say it took a good 6 months for everything to feel normal again but cycling really has been a big part of my recovery and running on the flat was a lot easier than running on the hills. I wore plaster for 6 weeks so there wasn't as much swelling when I took it off although I would guess putting ice on it might be a good idea. If it helps fitter people do tend to recover a lot quicker. One other thing to check (particularly if you wear orthotics) is to see if your running gait has changed..I am waiting for a new orthotic for my right shoe as my gait has changed a bit and some of the hip pain I was getting was due to that.

Kim

Six weeks on and the fracture has healed. I wore a plaster cast for 2 weeks and an air brace for the next 2 weeks. The ankle now feels good however I am aware of some tendon and muscular damage. The swelling has also now gone down. The doctor was very suprised at the speed of the recovery. Not back to full running yet but cross training and cycling feels fine. It is very difficult to isolate the reason for the rapid recovery but I will list all the measures I have taken in the hope that others can take it on after suffering a similar injury.

- As soon as I came out of the plaster I used contrast bathing (hot and cold water alternating) at least once a day.
- Used the arm crank machine to maintain some CV fitness (I actually bought a indoor bike and straddled the base to use the pedals as a crank).
- Took some Calcium, Magnesium supplements (life stream, high potency). I am a firm believer of getting as close to the natural source here as it maximises absorbtion.
- Drank Comfrey tea once a day (known as knit bone).
- Rubbed in some Ibuleve cream for the first 3 weeks then Comfrey root lotion for the next 3 weeks.
- Developed non-weight bearing range of movement as soon as I was out of the plaster cast.
- Kept it elevated by using a crutch at an angle. Turn the forearm brace up and place your calf in it whilst watching the TV etc.
- Eat as much fruit and veg as possible.

Thanks or the messages everyone

[Amex]

Think i have the right to be involved in this thread now.
Two week's in now, today i am aiming to walk for ten mins on crutches, my first goal is to get this cast off, and get swimming, non weight bearing for 8 weeks, good tips above thanks i will keep posting on here with rebuild -rehab. i have broken tib and fib, fib broken in ten places, the tib was also an open dislocation, with torn ligaments, pin and plated and cross pin to stabilize both bones.
I am sure i can mend the bones and bits, its will the mind allow me to run like an idiot down hill again? time will tell

[wycoller]

If you have a fun pool nearby that has adult sessions then that is a good place to swim. I used my stick up to the pool edge but then went in at beach part - much easier than trying to get straight in, and easier to get out again.

[Mud Rocs]

Amex,

I broke my leg and started this thread last year - ran the Three Shires this year and was very sorry to hear about your injury. As I broke my leg on a downhill I agree it is more mental than anything else - must admit it's made me a bit more cautious on a steep downhill but confidence is returning gradually though I do tend to take it easier when I'm not racing.

Swimming to start with is great for getting the leg moving again and might be something you decide to keep as part of a the overall recovery I did - sure the 8 weeks in plaster is seeming like forever but hang in there it's all soon a distant memory. Recently I've noticed on hard runs the ankle feels weak afterwards so I'm trying to make a point of keep flexing the ankle - no doubt you will develop your own routine.

Anyway good luck with the recovery it will be good to hear how you get on.

[Amex]

23 days after incident
Frustration, tiredness, boredom
Slight infection has resulted in a change of antibiotics, for another 7 days- therefore no booze again,
back to Hospital tomorrow to have wound cleaned, re-dressed, inspected.
Its not so much the operation side where the pins/plates were installed, its the wound side where the tib came out to say hello which is the cause for the consultants concern!
i am managing to do a few hours a day at work but it involves being taken and picked up, which makes me feel a real burden to all.
still non weight bearing and am looking forward to week 8 where the bolt that is through both bones is removed.

If its ok i will keep posting on this thread to see how things go?

i suppose i have to have goals, somebody said the other day you will race again at one race or another but i would like to keep it simple for me i suppose, my first goal is to be weight bearing, if i set massive targets i will only get disappointed if i don't get there.

[Derby Tup]

Good to hear from you Steve. Please keep us updated with progress. I suspect you're right to have minor goals rather than say I'll do Liver Hill next April. Good luck, Andrew