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Pain In The Back Of Leg After Falling Off Stairs, Fractured Ankle In 2 Places. Surgery Needed ?
I recently fell down 3 or 4 stairs to my basement. I immediately went to the hospital where they placed a cast on my foot all the way up to my knee. I had the cast on for a week. The only pain I had was in the back of my leg. They said I fractured the ankle in two places and the back of the leg. I am now in a boot with crutches. I can move my ankle freely with no problem. I never had a lot of pain. DO I need surgery???? They are recommending surgery???? If I don't will I endure problems later on??? like arthritis???? I am 56 years old. I feel great and have only a little pain. But I was a lot worse. I have been to see an orthopedic docter and he has scheduled surgery. Everyone that comes to see me can not believe how well I am doing and say do you really need surgery. I hate to be laid up for 3 months. Someone told me the surgery might not even take. Should I get a second opinion????
Fri, 15 Nov 2013
Hi, thanks for writing to HCM.
There is absolutely nothing wrong in going for a second opinion with other orthopedic surgeon for a more clear picture on the management options.
The decision to perform surgery on a particular fracture depends on many variables like Age, presence of comorbid conditions, the geometry of the fracture, location of the fracture etc.
The major advantage with surgical management of a fracture is that, it doesn't need any immobilization of the adjacent joints (as in case of a plaster cast) for 2-3 months approximately, which may result in stiffness & disuse osteoporosis of the bones.
Hope this information is helpful. Good day
There is absolutely nothing wrong in going for a second opinion with other orthopedic surgeon for a more clear picture on the management options.
The decision to perform surgery on a particular fracture depends on many variables like Age, presence of comorbid conditions, the geometry of the fracture, location of the fracture etc.
The major advantage with surgical management of a fracture is that, it doesn't need any immobilization of the adjacent joints (as in case of a plaster cast) for 2-3 months approximately, which may result in stiffness & disuse osteoporosis of the bones.
Hope this information is helpful. Good day
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