Understanding Recovery Time and Concerns for Open Fractures of the Ankle
Questions related to the recovery time for open fractures of the tibia and fibula? Hello Doctor: On August 15, I had a car accident resulting in an open fracture of the distal tibia and fibula in my left leg (near the ankle). I underwent fixation with bone screws and plates, and ...
Dr. Li Wenlin Reply:
Hello, In response to your question, the old saying goes, "It takes a hundred days to heal muscles and bones." If you were injured on August 15, a complete recovery will take at least until the end of November, or even longer. Therefore, it is reasonable that the rang...[Read More] Understanding Recovery Time and Concerns for Open Fractures of the Ankle
Ankle Fracture Recovery: Timeline, Complications, and Dietary Tips
Ankle fracture Hello Dr. Shi: I would like to ask you, if the ankle is completely fractured (and has undergone surgery), how long is the recovery period? What are the potential complications? What should I pay attention to in terms of diet? Are there specific foods that can help ...
Dr. Shi Qiming Reply:
Hello: If your ankle fracture involves both the medial and lateral malleoli, the recovery period is approximately 12 weeks. However, if there is a ligament tear in the ankle, reconstruction surgery often has a poor prognosis and may take about 52 weeks for recovery. It is recomme...[Read More] Ankle Fracture Recovery: Timeline, Complications, and Dietary Tips
Persistent Foot Pain: Causes and Solutions for Long-Term Relief
My feet start to hurt after wearing shoes for a long time or standing for an extended period? I experience pain in the sole of my right foot after wearing shoes for a long time or standing for extended periods. There is a protrusion on the side of my ankle that is painful when to...
Dr. Huang Longde Reply:
Hello: Based on your description, the physician should have performed an X-ray to confirm whether there is an old ankle fracture. Your outer ankle often swells and hurts repeatedly due to prolonged standing or wearing shoes, which is caused by injury to the lateral ligaments or u...[Read More] Persistent Foot Pain: Causes and Solutions for Long-Term Relief
Post-Surgery Recovery: Addressing Color Changes and Swelling After Ankle Fracture
Post-operative condition after fracture surgery? Hello Dr. Chen, I had surgery for a left ankle fracture due to a car accident in early July, and my condition seems to be quite good so far. The surgical wound is fine, and I don't feel any pain. However, I have a concern: th...
Dr. Chen Xingyuan Reply:
Dear Reader, After surgery for an ankle fracture, it is common to experience some swelling or bruising in the foot. This phenomenon is due to poor peripheral blood circulation resulting from the injury and the surgery. Typically, this condition improves within about three months...[Read More] Post-Surgery Recovery: Addressing Color Changes and Swelling After Ankle Fracture
Are Ankle Braces as Effective as Casts for Ankle Injuries?
Are the effects of a cast and a rigid ankle brace the same? A few days ago, I sprained my ankle and an X-ray revealed a small bone fragment in the ankle that is fractured and displaced. The doctor advised against using screws but recommended a cast. However, wearing a cast is qui...
Dr. Chen Xingyuan Reply:
Dear Readers, The treatment for fractures can be most simply and easily addressed with plaster casts. The purpose of immobilization is to reduce displacement, alleviate pain, and promote bone healing. Although having a cast can be quite inconvenient in daily life, it provides th...[Read More] Are Ankle Braces as Effective as Casts for Ankle Injuries?
Are Lateral Ankle Fractures Considered Part of the Foot or Leg?
Is a lateral ankle fracture considered a metatarsal bone fracture? Lateral ankle fractures are classified as part of the foot rather than the lower leg. The correct medical terminology for the bones of the lower leg is tibia and fibula. The ankle joint is formed by the distal end...
Dr. Li Wenlin Reply:
Hello: In response to your question, the insurance company's determinations are based on their own established guidelines, which may not fully align with medical assessments. If there are any concerns, you should ask the insurance company for a detailed explanation, as clini...[Read More] Are Lateral Ankle Fractures Considered Part of the Foot or Leg?
Understanding Ankle Fractures: Recovery Timeline and Nutritional Support
Fracture at the site of the ankle joint? Hello Doctor: On May 18th, I was hit by a motorcycle on my foot, resulting in a fracture of the small bone in the lower part of my right ankle joint. The fracture is small and the fracture surface is clean. During surgery, two metal screws...
Dr. Hong Ximing Reply:
Hello Yuanxi: After surgery for an ankle fracture, it is generally necessary to immobilize the area for 4 to 6 weeks before starting rehabilitation. However, protective measures should still be taken during rehabilitation to avoid re-injury. Walking can typically begin after 8 we...[Read More] Understanding Ankle Fractures: Recovery Timeline and Nutritional Support
Understanding Ankle Fractures: Should Plates and Screws Be Removed?
The doctor said that the steel plate inserted for the ankle fracture from the car accident does not need to be removed? I was in a car accident in the U.S. at the end of April, and it seems I have a comminuted fracture in my ankle. I have already had a steel plate and screws inse...
Dr. Li Wenlin Reply:
Hello: In response to your question, previously there was only one type of internal fixation material (stainless steel, with a steel core and a cobalt or copper electroplated surface), so it is not recommended to leave it in the body for a long time, as these metals can be absorb...[Read More] Understanding Ankle Fractures: Should Plates and Screws Be Removed?
Understanding Open Ankle Fractures: Recovery, Pain Management, and Rehabilitation
Open ankle fracture Hello, Doctor! I was in a car accident at the end of February this year and later discovered that I had an open fracture in my ankle with bone displacement and a crack in the ankle bone. I underwent surgery three days after the accident, where they inserted si...
Dr. Li Wenlin Reply:
Hello, handsome: 1. An ankle fracture can sometimes cause injury to the interosseous membrane between the tibia and fibula, leading to separation. If this is the case, a long steel nail may be placed at an appropriate position to span the fibula, interosseous membrane, and tibi...[Read More] Understanding Open Ankle Fractures: Recovery, Pain Management, and Rehabilitation
Understanding Hip Joint Pain After an Ankle Fracture: Causes and Solutions
Hip joint pain? Doctor, I was in a car accident and my ankle bone is fractured. Additionally, my hip joint experiences pain at certain angles and makes a cracking sound during movement. It has been like this for six months. A doctor mentioned that it might be due to cartilage det...
Dr. Shi Guozheng Reply:
Hip joint pain accompanied by audible sounds requires an X-ray examination to check for any bone issues. Additionally, ligament injuries could also present with similar symptoms.[Read More] Understanding Hip Joint Pain After an Ankle Fracture: Causes and Solutions
Post-Cast Care: Essential Tips for Recovery After Fibula Fracture
Issues After Removing a Cast Hello, I would like to inquire about post-cast care issues. I have a fibula distal fracture, and it has been seven weeks—tomorrow I will have the cast removed. Please answer the following questions: 1. After the cast is removed, how long is it recom...
Dr. Li Wenlin Reply:
Hello: In response to your question, a fibula distal fracture refers to an ankle fracture involving the lateral malleolus. If there is minimal displacement and no impact on the joint surface, conservative treatment can be employed, which involves immobilization in a cast for six ...[Read More] Post-Cast Care: Essential Tips for Recovery After Fibula Fracture
Recovery Insights for Open Fractures: Healing Time and Supplements
Could you please provide the content you would like me to translate? Hello, doctor. I had an accident while riding my motorcycle and injured my left ankle joint, resulting in an open fracture of the fibula and ligament tears. I have already undergone surgery and my ankle is curre...
Dr. Li Wenlin Reply:
Miss Lan: 1. The effectiveness of calcium and collagen supplements in aiding recovery after a fracture is still inconclusive. Orthopedic surgeons neither recommend nor oppose their use; you may decide for yourself. 2. If the fracture requires a cast for 3 months, a rehabilitation...[Read More] Recovery Insights for Open Fractures: Healing Time and Supplements
Understanding Ankle Pain After Two Months of Fracture Recovery
Ankle fracture I have had an ankle fracture for over two months, but I still feel pain in the ankle joint area when walking. What could be the reason? Both the inner and outer ankle bones are fractured, but I can walk now. However, the joint hurts only when I walk; it doesn'...
Dr. Shi Guozheng Reply:
After two months of an ankle fracture, there should be callus formation; however, complete healing may still take another month or two. Therefore, experiencing pain while walking is a normal phenomenon. If both the medial and lateral malleoli are fractured and it is not an open f...[Read More] Understanding Ankle Pain After Two Months of Fracture Recovery
Understanding Pain and Recovery After Ankle Fracture and Dislocation
Questions regarding suspected fracture and dislocation of the left ankle? Hello Dr. Yeh, I would like to ask you about my husband. On November 9th, he suffered a fracture and dislocation of his left ankle while playing basketball. On November 10th, he underwent surgery for fixat...
Dr. Ye Qingnian Reply:
After orthopedic surgery and casting, there should generally not be significant pain. If there is severe pain, it may indicate issues such as wound infection or poor circulation (swelling). A wound infection can cause a damp sensation inside the cast due to secretions and comprom...[Read More] Understanding Pain and Recovery After Ankle Fracture and Dislocation
Understanding Ankle Fracture Recovery: Safe Movements and Concerns
What movements can be performed with an ankle fracture? Hello Doctor: I had an accident where my right ankle externally rotated to the right, causing a fracture in the fibula near the outer side of my right ankle. Since there was no displacement, the doctor opted for conservative...
Dr. Shi Guozheng Reply:
If there is no displacement, the cast can be removed a bit earlier, but typically it takes six to twelve weeks for the fracture to heal. Currently, light weight-bearing is allowed, and ankle joint movements in all directions can be performed.[Read More] Understanding Ankle Fracture Recovery: Safe Movements and Concerns
Understanding Open Reduction and Internal Fixation in Ankle Injuries
Open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) surgery differs from other terms in the following ways: 1. My symptoms include an ankle dislocation and open reduction with internal fixation for bilateral ankle fractures. Which of the following is most similar: a) closed reduction of ...
Dr. Shi Guozheng Reply:
Your symptoms are more like closed reduction, which involves realigning the displaced fracture without exposing the fracture site, using external force to pull the bone back into its normal position. Open reduction, on the other hand, involves performing surgery to expose the fra...[Read More] Understanding Open Reduction and Internal Fixation in Ankle Injuries
Can I Walk After Ankle Fracture? Recovery Tips and Advice
Can I walk on the ground? I have had an ankle fracture (compound fracture) for 6 weeks, but the doctor said I can put weight on it without crutches. However, I still feel swelling, and I can only bend the joint to 30 degrees. Additionally, my ankle and the sole of my foot hurt wh...
Dr. Shi Guozheng Reply:
Six weeks after surgery for an open ankle fracture, patients can typically begin practicing weight-bearing activities, but this depends on the status of the fracture reduction post-surgery. If the alignment is good, then it is certainly permissible; however, if the positioning is...[Read More] Can I Walk After Ankle Fracture? Recovery Tips and Advice
Redness and Itching After Ankle Fracture: Causes and Recovery Tips
Swelling and redness with itching at the site of a fracture? I have had an ankle fracture for three weeks, but recently I noticed that the back of my foot has turned red and itchy, whereas it was previously white. The back, which was originally swollen from the impact, has return...
Dr. Shi Guozheng Reply:
After a fracture, bleeding, swelling, and bruising may occur. This could potentially be an allergic reaction, but it is essential to have a physician evaluate it for an accurate diagnosis. Joint mobility can be improved by applying heat and gradually bending the joint.[Read More] Redness and Itching After Ankle Fracture: Causes and Recovery Tips
Understanding Ankle Fractures: Recovery, Complications, and Treatment
Fracture of the left ankle and the associated joint fracture? Hello, doctor: I had a car accident on September 26, 2005, which resulted in fractures of both ankles and the connecting areas (near the joints), with 8 steel pins on the outer side and 2 on the inner side. I would lik...
Dr. Shi Guozheng Reply:
The number of screws needed for a fracture depends on the surgical requirements to achieve stability. After casting, swelling may occur, and joint mobility will be restricted following the fracture. With continued rehabilitation, most patients can recover to a certain extent. Bon...[Read More] Understanding Ankle Fractures: Recovery, Complications, and Treatment
How Long After Ankle Fracture Can Screws Be Safely Removed?
Removal of metal screws timing In the case of a fibula fracture at the ankle (with only a partial crack and not a complete break), the removal of internal fixation screws typically depends on the healing process and the physician's assessment. If the doctor confirms that the...
Dr. Li Wenlin Reply:
Hello: In response to your question, it is best to remove the internal fixation for an ankle fracture after one year; three months is too early. If removed too soon, the risk of re-fracture is higher, so I advise you to think carefully about this. Additionally, if the internal fi...[Read More] How Long After Ankle Fracture Can Screws Be Safely Removed?