Broken ankle question - Bone Disorders Message Board

DottyG · 12-10-2003, 01:34 PM

This isn't, exactly, a "disorder" I don't think. But, it does concern the bone. Can I ask it here anyway?

I broke my ankle (the fibula) on Nov 5. Since then, I've had 3 casts - the first one "inverted" the foot for 2 weeks to help the ligament heal, the second was a bit more at a natural position, and now the third is a walking cast where the foot is at a 90 degree angle to the leg (more natural "walking" position).

I have this urge to stretch my leg and ankle (within the cast) quite often. It kind of feels good in a painful way. It feels good to stretch but it does hurt a little bit. Is it ok to be doing that, though?

Every once in a while, the ankle just kind of hurts a bit for no reason. Is that just the healing taking place?

The break was more of a vertical one than a horizontal one. Is this going to affect my walking when the cast comes off? Is this bone vital to weight-bearing or is it more of a structural bone? I've heard both sides, and I'm not sure which is correct.

Thanks!

DottyG · 12-11-2003, 04:06 PM

Bumping up....just wanted to see if anyone had any answers on this.

butterflytrans · 12-11-2003, 05:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DottyG

Is this bone vital to weight-bearing or is it more of a structural bone? I've heard both sides, and I'm not sure which is correct.
Thanks!

Hi there! The fibula is definitely NOT a weight-bearing bone...in fact, you can live quite comfortably without it...it does, however, provide some structure in your leg--not as much as your tibia though.

The whole point of having a cast, as I'm sure you know, is to keep the bone immobilized in the proper position so that it heals in the same position it was before you broke it. As long as your ankle isn't moving around inside the cast, then stretching it shouldn't be too much of a problem. I'm assuming the cast was put on properly, because if it was, your ankle shouldn't move inside anyway.

frosty87 · 01-29-2004, 02:26 PM

The tibia is the weight bearing bone in your lower leg the fibula is for stabilzation. The hurt that your feeling IMHO is from the ankle joint being immobilized for so long.