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Therapy for fibular fracture
Treatment can be conservative or surgical.
Gypsum for fibular fracture
The plaster cast is a method of immobilizing a broken bone.
In the case of fibula fractures (fibular fractures), a short cast is usually applied if the fracture is near the ankle, and a long cast for shaft fractures of the fibula.
The short plaster cast covers the foot and reaches below the knee, the long plaster cast reaches to the thigh.
The cast can be applied after the surgeon manipulates the bone to improve the axis position.
Before plastering, the foot and ankle are provided with a layer of padding.
Then the leg is wrapped with a bandage of fiberglass or plaster.
The cast can be a temporary or permanent form of fracture treatment.
Splint for fibular fracture
The technique of railing is used for fresh fractures.
It is then almost ideal, because fractures are accompanied by a considerable swelling.
The splint does not constrict the leg and allows it to swell.
The splint is often used temporarily for immobilization until surgery is performed, or immediately after surgical fixation of the fibula fracture. In general, with fibular fractures, a rear or U-shaped splint with intermediate padding is applied.
The back splint is attached to the back of the lower leg and the sole of the foot. The rail length depends on the fracture height.
If the fracture is close to the knee joint, the splint is usually longer.
The U-shaped plaster splint is usually used along with the back splint to support the fibula inside and outside the leg.
The plaster splint consists of a long, U-shaped piece of material that extends from the outside – below the foot – to the inside of the leg.
The rails are wrapped at the top with an elastic bandage.
The materials used are: gypsum, fiberglass or prefabricated rails made of various materials.
The splint is suitable for all fibula fractures because the doctor can apply the plaster splint to keep the pieces of bone in the correct position while manipulating the bones.
Surgical intervention for fibular fracture
For the treatment of calf and shin fractures involving the ankle joint, an external fixator, i.e. an external tensioner, is often used.
This device keeps the bones in the correct position during the healing process or helps at a later stage through a definitive surgical intervention.
The surgeon inserts nails into the bones of the lower limb and erects a frame of metal rods outside the body.
This procedure can be performed in the operating room or in the emergency room.
An external fixator is also helpful for open fractures where the bone is in contact with the external environment.
Open reposition with internal fixation
Internal fixation with open reposition refers to the surgical treatment of the fracture, in which fasteners (plates, screws, nails) are used to set up the bone parts under the skin.
Fibular fractures can be repaired with screws and/or plates.
Various fibula fractures do not require treatment, the surgeon only sets up the tibial fracture, which allows the fibula to heal.
Shaft fractures of the tibia and fibula are usually treated by intramedullary nailing of the shin.
A long nail is pushed through the fracture fragments into the medullary cavity of the bone.
The disadvantage of the intramedullary nail is that it counteracts the bending forces, but not the rotational and compression forces; therefore, in some cases, an auxiliary fixation in the form of screws or cerclage must be used.
Orthosis for fibular fracture
For simple fractures of the ankle joint or the outer ankle, it may be sufficient to support the injured limb with a lower leg orthosis, similar to a ski boot. It covers the foot and reaches below the knee.
In this way, the injured leg can be loaded early while the fracture heals.
Open fractures
When the bone protrudes from the skin, it is called an open fracture.
With this type of fracture, antibiotics must be taken. The most common mids include cefazolin, gentamicin and penicillin, depending on the extent of the wound and the degree of inflammation.
The doctor will inquire if the patient is vaccinated against tetanus.
Pain control in fibular fracture
The control of pain is a very important aspect of a fibula fracture.
In most cases, NSAIDs are taken, i.e. nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen, naproxen, paracetamol or opioids.
The doctor will prescribe the appropriate medication to relieve the pain of fractures.
Physiotherapy for fibular fracture
A physiotherapy cycle is extremely important because it speeds up the healing process and guarantees a good result.
Rehabilitation includes:
- Magnetotherapy to shorten bone consolidation time up to 50%.
- Massage of soft tissues for drainage of inflammation.
- Passive mobilization to regain the range of motion.
- Bandage (taping) and bandages for the leg.
- Use of a protective boot.
- Instructions on the use of forearm crutches.
- Cold or heat therapy for pain relief.
- Movement exercises (physiokinesiotherapy) to improve strength, flexibility and balance.
- Rehabilitation in the water (water aerobics, hydrokinesitherapy), where the leg can be strengthened without straining the injured bone.
- Changes in everyday activities.
- Gradual return to everyday activities.
Prognosis for fibular fracture
Patients with fibula fractures can restore their original state of health one hundred percent with appropriate (conservative or surgical) treatment. Professional and sporting activities can be resumed after a few weeks or months and should be accompanied by the physiotherapist or attending physician.
In the case of complicated fractures or additional injuries to other bones, soft tissue, nerves or blood vessels, recovery times are much longer.
Patients with smaller, undisplaced fractures (e.g. avulsion fractures) can resume sports activities in less than 6 weeks with the consent of the doctor.
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