Broken Fibula, anyone?

a.k.a. Patrick · 02-04-07, 05:33

My son broke his Fibula early Saturday morning. Does anyone have any experience with the medical procedures I/we can expect? (Post E.R. of course) We have to schedule an appt with an Orthopedic surgeon early Monday. Theres also a bone fragment ...........

velobard · 02-04-07, 08:55

Sorry to hear about your son. I haven't had that particular version of pleasure myself, but there's some great information out there if you just google "fibula fracture". I wish him all the best. I hope you have a stellar surgeon, only settle for the best for something like this.

a.k.a. Patrick · 02-04-07, 10:15

Quote:

Originally Posted by velobard

Sorry to hear about your son. I haven't had that particular version of pleasure myself, but there's some great information out there if you just google "fibula fracture". I wish him all the best. I hope you have a stellar surgeon, only settle for the best for something like this.

Well we are insured with an HMO (Havent Many Options). I have a client who is a hand surgeon , who has a colleague who I can see for some bartering. But Im a little aprehensive. With medical costs what they are, I'd be detailing for free, forever im afraid....
Ive been to Web MD and some other sites already, just wondering if anyone has experienced it first hand.....This was all at 12 am Saturday morning, while he was skateboarding with his pals... We spent the next 5 hrs in the E.R.....

BigAl3 · 02-04-07, 10:17

patrick, i hope your son has a fast and speedy recovery!

allen

a.k.a. Patrick · 02-05-07, 05:19

Thanks Al! Hope to find out more today......

Danase · 02-05-07, 05:24

Sorry to hear that Patrick. Hope it all goes well for him.

flatstick · 02-05-07, 06:28

Sorry to hear about that Patrick. I broke my tibia 9 years ago. was testing a gas main with bottled nitrogen and the shut off valve broke and smashed into my tibia at point blank range. according to the gauge on the tank there was over 2,000 psi behind the blast. my injury took a long time to heal as the rear bone was hindering the healing process. was in a full leg cast for 6 weeks, then a walking cast for 4 weeks.I was lucky that the surgery was minor and they were most worried about infection getting into the bone. just tell your son to take it slow and easy with the psychical therapy. very frustrating to be off your feet for a while and you want to rush back into action. all of you muscles , tendons and ligaments will be stiff and sore as hell once they take the cast off. if he ends up with a cast below the knee it will be easier than dealing with having your knee in a cast for 6 weeks like I did. took me months to get the full flexibility and strength back in my knee. the good news is that other than the obvious scar I do not have any issues with it. just be sure to get the best possible care for him, in my case it made a huge difference. my thoughts and prayers are with him for a safe and speedy recovery.

paul79uf · 02-05-07, 05:51

this thread makes my shoulder ache....i dislocated it 7 times....your son's pt will definitely suck...sorry i have no useful info

i wish him luck

Spilchy · 02-05-07, 06:05

I work for an Orthopedic surgeon!

If I remember, I'll ask him. I also do serious boatloads of detailing and weekly washes for all his cars including a few classics.

If I get him in a good mood in the morning (depending on the day's surgery, patient load or declining insurance reimbursement issues that gave him a nightmare) I'll have him dictate something that I'll type out, assuming legally he wants to dispense medical advice over the Internet.

a.k.a. Patrick · 02-05-07, 08:02

OK, back from the surgeon. My son totally blew out the ligaments under the Tibia, and fractured the Fibula. Theres actually air, where they should be ligaments....He also has a bone chip floating around which the surgeon says he can reattach. He will need some screws to reposition the Fibula. the surgeon seemed to be more concerned with the ligaments repairing themselves vs the actual fracture.
Surgery is Wednesday, so if you have anyone you need to say a prayer for, please think of my son......Thanks to all!

White95Max · 02-05-07, 08:50

Sorry to hear about this Patrick. I wish your son the best of luck in a quick recovery with as little pain and complications as possible.

velobard · 02-06-07, 06:37

Quote:

Originally Posted by a.k.a. Patrick

OK, back from the surgeon. My son totally blew out the ligaments under the Tibia, and fractured the Fibula. Theres actually air, where they should be ligaments....He also has a bone chip floating around which the surgeon says he can reattach. He will need some screws to reposition the Fibula. the surgeon seemed to be more concerned with the ligaments repairing themselves vs the actual fracture.
Surgery is Wednesday, so if you have anyone you need to say a prayer for, please think of my son......Thanks to all!

Ouch! Yes, the ligaments would be a concern. I'm afraid your son is going to feel the effects of this one far down the road. I hope he takes his PT seriously once he's able to get to that point.