Ankle Avulsion Fracture

Injury/Nutrition Other

6 years ago 01/12/2018 4:11pm EST

So I twisted my ankle real bad about three months ago and suffered an avulsion fracture of the distal fibula. The first three weeks, I did all my walking in a CAM Boot, since then I've been able to walk around fine with no pain but still can't run without any pain.

I went back to the doctor, got another x-ray and found that tip that broke off was still not fused back to the bone. The doctor said that this was normal and it will heal by a fibrous union instead of bony union as long I don't do anything stupid and do my PT exercises .

She seemed confident that I should be good to be running again by April but I'm having my doubts. Anybody else have any experience with avulsion fractures and how long it took until you were back running again?

6 years ago 01/12/2018 10:35pm EST

re: injury advice...

I suffered an avulsion fracture in the same bone after twisting my ankle trail running a few years ago. I was 15 when it happened, so I healed pretty fast (I think) and was able to run again in a little over two months. However, I spent the first two weeks or so in crutches while you didn't, so I guess that goes to show how different the process can be. I didn't do pt, but I wish I did because my twisted ankle leg was definitely smaller and weaker than my non twisted one for a couple months. I also never heard anything about fibrous and bone union, so I can't comment on that.

You said you were in a boot, but what did you do after the boot? Did you go straight to no support or did you wear a brace? I had a brace on for probably two weeks after getting the boot off, and then my mom made me wear it for the first two weeks back running. Although I didn't need it to run pain free (just so I didn't roll it again), I definitely think it helped to wear a brace for a couple weeks during the day post-boot. If I were you I would probably try a brace or ace bandage for running and see how that goes.

Good luck, hope you heal up.

6 years ago 01/13/2018 7:49am EST

re: injury advice...

I had a large avulsion fracture of the tibia at 39 a number of years ago. There were some bone fragments apparent in the joint as well. I did not visit a doctor( the fracture was not displaced) and bandaged the area and kept walking and then running/cycling a short time later. Initially the swelling and thickening of the area was massive and it took about three years to be totally pain free.

Today the ankle is normal and only slightly enlarged locally.

I had read a study years ago that showed greatly damaged joints healed much better if kept virtually in perpetual motion. This was proven through some rather ghastly experiments on animals.

So I would personally start running soon. YMMV

6 years ago 01/13/2018 8:42am EST

re: injury advice...

Those types of injuries are bad news - they can lead to osteoarthritis of the ankle.

That's what happen to me...no fun. ?

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Ankle Avulsion Fracture

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