Problem with my broken fibula.

[ftorre211]

Hi,

I broke my Fibula three weeks ago. After 3 weeks I went back to the
doctor for a control x-ray, in this new x-ray I can not see any
improvement. The 2 x-rays are in

http://www.salleurl.edu/~ftorre/accident.htm (take 1/2 minute to
download, if not press reload).

In the new x-ray I have mark with red the broken Fibula, to me it is in
worse condition than the original fracture.

The doctor do not think I need surgery, but in 3 weeks that I had a
cast it does seems to improve or that the bone gets together. Do you
think I need surgery?
Can the bone get together by itself just by having the cast?

I appreciate any comments to be sent to ***@cs.cmu.edu

Thanks very much in advance.

[Andreas Thell]

It is absolutely normal that there is no "new" bone material after 3
weeks on the x-ray. Even after 6 weeks, when the cast is removed, you
will see the fracture on the x-ray. This is because fractures heal by
first building a substance called "callus" which cannot be seen on
x-ray. It takes many weeks until enough calcium is being put into the
callus to be visible on an x-ray.

Post by ftorre211
Hi,
I broke my Fibula three weeks ago. After 3 weeks I went back to the
doctor for a control x-ray, in this new x-ray I can not see any
improvement. The 2 x-rays are in
http://www.salleurl.edu/~ftorre/accident.htm (take 1/2 minute to
download, if not press reload).
In the new x-ray I have mark with red the broken Fibula, to me it is in
worse condition than the original fracture.
The doctor do not think I need surgery, but in 3 weeks that I had a
cast it does seems to improve or that the bone gets together. Do you
think I need surgery?
Can the bone get together by itself just by having the cast?
Thanks very much in advance.

[Keith L]

it will depend where you broke your fibula. if its in the ankle area and
its displaced then you may need a screw if the ankle mortise is
disrupted. if its high above the ankle then surgery may not be indicated
since the fibula is a non weight bearing bone. your doc will know if he
is an orthopedic surgeon.