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Suggest Treatment For Hairline Fracture In The Left Ankle On The Fibula
Question: I recently had an ankle sprain and swelling reduced by 85% on left leg and pain was there while walking. So I went to doc and he has done an x ray for my left leg. My Doc says there could be a hairline on the left ankle on the fibula or something. Can you take a look and tell me that. Swelling comes and goes . Idid RICE treatment for my ankle. But find difficult in walking. Please help me.
Brief Answer:
No hairline fracture
Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXXXXX
Thanks for writing in to us.
I have read through your query in detail.
Can you please tell me how many days back you had the ankle injury and how it happened. In the image attached I do not find any hair line fracture, though there is little soft tissue swelling in the lateral malleolus (outer part of ankle). In my experience, pain and swelling in the ankle is more likely due to ligament injury than a hairline fracture. Treatment for a sprained ankle depends on the severity of your injury with most people simply treating their injury at home.
Stability of the ankle joint is most important to evaluate and your ankle looks stable on X ray. If it was unstable, your doctor would have put a cast and brace to give rest to the ankle joint. However, it is best to put a crepe bandage over the ankle throughout the day which can be removed at bedtime. Please avoid wearing tight fitting shoes and putting weight on your affected foot for about a week. You may wear sandals without belt to give comfort to the ankle joint.
The RICE treatment was necessary and it must have given you benefit. Right now you may wait and watch for a week taking precautions and if you still find it difficult to even perform normal daily activities then another clinical opinion might be necessary and and probably and ankle MRI to know if there is any severe ligament injury.
If you require further rehabilitation advise please visit link given:
https://www.sportsmed.org/uploadedFiles/Content/Patient/Sports_Tips/ST%20Ankle%20Sprains%2008.pdf
Wishing you quick recovery and good health.
Hope your query is answered.
Do write back if you have any doubts.
Regards,
Dr.Vivek
No hairline fracture
Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXXXXX
Thanks for writing in to us.
I have read through your query in detail.
Can you please tell me how many days back you had the ankle injury and how it happened. In the image attached I do not find any hair line fracture, though there is little soft tissue swelling in the lateral malleolus (outer part of ankle). In my experience, pain and swelling in the ankle is more likely due to ligament injury than a hairline fracture. Treatment for a sprained ankle depends on the severity of your injury with most people simply treating their injury at home.
Stability of the ankle joint is most important to evaluate and your ankle looks stable on X ray. If it was unstable, your doctor would have put a cast and brace to give rest to the ankle joint. However, it is best to put a crepe bandage over the ankle throughout the day which can be removed at bedtime. Please avoid wearing tight fitting shoes and putting weight on your affected foot for about a week. You may wear sandals without belt to give comfort to the ankle joint.
The RICE treatment was necessary and it must have given you benefit. Right now you may wait and watch for a week taking precautions and if you still find it difficult to even perform normal daily activities then another clinical opinion might be necessary and and probably and ankle MRI to know if there is any severe ligament injury.
If you require further rehabilitation advise please visit link given:
https://www.sportsmed.org/uploadedFiles/Content/Patient/Sports_Tips/ST%20Ankle%20Sprains%2008.pdf
Wishing you quick recovery and good health.
Hope your query is answered.
Do write back if you have any doubts.
Regards,
Dr.Vivek
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Thanks Doc for letting me know there is no Hair Line Fracture. Its truly relieved me.
I had the Ankle sprain while walking down the steps which were kind of Uneven. It happened on 26 May and have taken 10 days of rest working from home. Now I cannot take any ore rest and have to go to US also next weekend. So kindly suggest me what to do apart from taking rest.
Attached the two images that I have taken just now. Kindly check and let me know.
Appreciate quick response.
I had the Ankle sprain while walking down the steps which were kind of Uneven. It happened on 26 May and have taken 10 days of rest working from home. Now I cannot take any ore rest and have to go to US also next weekend. So kindly suggest me what to do apart from taking rest.
Attached the two images that I have taken just now. Kindly check and let me know.
Appreciate quick response.
Brief Answer:
You can start light mobilization and physiotherapy
Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXXXXX
Thanks for writing back with an update.
I do not see any hair line fracture in your X ray. As you sprained while walking down steps it must be a low intensity injury which means no severe injury. Such injury usually takes 4 weeks of rest to heal and by the 5th week the patient is normal to take part in regular physical activites like light jogging and walking. As you are scheduled on trip to US I suggest that you do certain ankle mobilization exercises and try to walk with a crepe bandage if its still painful as mentioned earlier. At the end of the day you may apple pain reliever and muscle relaxant combination ointments.
If you are going to stay in US for a while then I also suggest you to consult a physiotherapist and learn some exercises which you may do regularly to get back complete function of your ankle and foot.
Wishing you quick recovery and good health.
Hope your query is answered.
Do write back if you have any doubts.
Regards,
Dr.Vivek
You can start light mobilization and physiotherapy
Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXXXXX
Thanks for writing back with an update.
I do not see any hair line fracture in your X ray. As you sprained while walking down steps it must be a low intensity injury which means no severe injury. Such injury usually takes 4 weeks of rest to heal and by the 5th week the patient is normal to take part in regular physical activites like light jogging and walking. As you are scheduled on trip to US I suggest that you do certain ankle mobilization exercises and try to walk with a crepe bandage if its still painful as mentioned earlier. At the end of the day you may apple pain reliever and muscle relaxant combination ointments.
If you are going to stay in US for a while then I also suggest you to consult a physiotherapist and learn some exercises which you may do regularly to get back complete function of your ankle and foot.
Wishing you quick recovery and good health.
Hope your query is answered.
Do write back if you have any doubts.
Regards,
Dr.Vivek
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Thanks Doc.
So you suggest no need for MRI? and with little ankle movement exercises I should be coming to normal in couple of weeks?
Did you get a chance to see the images that I have attached in my first reply?
Thanks, XXXXXXX
So you suggest no need for MRI? and with little ankle movement exercises I should be coming to normal in couple of weeks?
Did you get a chance to see the images that I have attached in my first reply?
Thanks, XXXXXXX
Brief Answer:
Please take care and injury will heal soon
Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXXXXX
Thanks for writing back with an update.
I have seen images attached and find slight swelling in the outer aspect of ankle. What happens is with injury, there is little water collection within the tissues around the ankle. This is a part of healing and the fluid collection slowly reduces with time. The ligaments usually regain their strength after 6 weeks in case of mild injury.
Talking about MRI, it is an expensive investigation and not really done unless there is some benefit to the patient. In case of sportspersons probably a MRI can help because they must get back to fitness at the earliest and the ligaments are often strengthened by surgery. This is important for them because they are prone for repeat injury due to active sports.
I suggest you take care of yourself and in a couple of weeks things should get back to normal.
Wishing you quick recovery and good health.
Hope your query is answered.
Do write back if you have any doubts.
Regards,
Dr.Vivek
Please take care and injury will heal soon
Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXXXXX
Thanks for writing back with an update.
I have seen images attached and find slight swelling in the outer aspect of ankle. What happens is with injury, there is little water collection within the tissues around the ankle. This is a part of healing and the fluid collection slowly reduces with time. The ligaments usually regain their strength after 6 weeks in case of mild injury.
Talking about MRI, it is an expensive investigation and not really done unless there is some benefit to the patient. In case of sportspersons probably a MRI can help because they must get back to fitness at the earliest and the ligaments are often strengthened by surgery. This is important for them because they are prone for repeat injury due to active sports.
I suggest you take care of yourself and in a couple of weeks things should get back to normal.
Wishing you quick recovery and good health.
Hope your query is answered.
Do write back if you have any doubts.
Regards,
Dr.Vivek
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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