What Happens if a Hairline Fracture of the Fibula Does Not Heal
The fibula is one of the long bones of the leg, located alongside the tibia (shinbone), below the knee. A hairline fracture is a type of stress fracture, also referred to as fissure fracture.
A stress or hairline fracture is not something that happens instantaneously. It is a type of fracture that occurs over a period of time. These injuries result from excessive or repetitive activities creating a level of stress to the bone area.
Stress fractures are often experienced by sportsmen or dancers who continually exercise using specific parts of the body, particularly the leg area.
The continually repeated motions that aggravate the bone area and cause hairline cracks are not considered severe fractures. Medically it is classified as a minor trauma. Where it may become problematic is if further injury is caused or becomes manifest.
Often a hairline fracture may not be diagnosed immediately as X-rays do not always pick this up. It is sometimes necessary to return for further X-rays to reassess the situation.
In the case of what is thought to be a minor injury or stress fracture, this may be treated in the orthopedic surgeon’s office. An orthopedic specialist or surgeon is a medical specialist focusing on issues related to the skeletal system. Once the orthopedic surgeon has determined that the fracture is a hairline or fissure fracture, simple treatment steps are suggested.
The patient will be told to rest the leg and to treat the injured area with regular applications of ice packs. If the pain requires medication, analgesics or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs may be prescribed. The person will be told to temporarily halt any activity related to the actions causing the fracture. The affected area initially needs to be kept in an immobile position in order to prevent further injury and to allow healing to take place.
Dancers, athletes and other sportsmen may consult a sports doctor who specializes in sports related injuries to determine a course of therapy. Pilates is one therapeutic exercise method that has become popular in the process of remobilizing, exercising and strengthening the affected area. Swimming, as a safe weight-bearing form of exercise, is often recommended.
Surgery is rarely necessary for a hairline fracture. However there are times when complications may arise. It is essential to check that further injury has not taken place. This may be performed by having additional X-rays, or if necessary other imaging diagnostic tests such as CT, MRI or bone scans.
While a hairline fracture is mostly localized and heals through extended rest followed by physical therapy, there may be an instance where the crack extends. In this case, although there might not be a complete fracture, the crack may have progressed into the outer layer of the bone. It is possible that surgery will be required.
There is also a possibility of the fracture causing a misalignment in the bone. When this happens it is crucial that the bone is realigned by the orthopedic specialist. This process is called fracture reduction. It may be done manually by the doctor. At other times traction is required. This involves a system of weights and pulleys. Traction is a way in which the limb is extended gently by means of a balancing action created by the weights and pulleys. The bone may be straightened accordingly too. The process takes a certain period of time as prescribed by the doctor depending on the nature and severity of the case. Surgery is required to align the bone in severe situations.
Patients experiencing stress fractures are encouraged to pay attention to the sports equipment used, particularly appropriate foot wear. A nutritional diet rich in vitamins and calcium is recommended to reduce risk of bone weakening. Healthy exercise to strengthen muscles and increase flexibility is essential. When someone has suffered a hairline or stress fracture through repetitive exercise strain, a gradual reintroduction to the movement or activity is suggested.
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