Ankle Fractures (Fibula) Causes, Symptoms & Treatment

The fibula bone is a long thin bone on the outside of the leg that extends from the knee to the ankle. The fibula bone is the smaller of the two bones in the lower leg. Most of your weight is carried by the larger bone of your leg called the tibia (shin bone).

The fibula can be broken or fractured anywhere along its course from the outside of the knee to the ankle. A proximal fibula fracture is a fracture that occurs on the outside of the knee or leg.  When the fibula is broken without an injury to the ankle it is called an isolated proximal fibula fracture.

Fibula fractures may also occur as a result of a twisting injury to the ankle. At the ankle joint, the fibula is often called the lateral malleolus and when the fibula is broken at the ankle it may be called a lateral malleolus fracture.

A Isolated  Proximal fibula fractures is  caused by a direct blow to the outside of the leg. A Proximal fibula fracture can also occur as a result of a twisting injury to the ankle.

Proximal fibula fractures are most common in these sports:

• Soccer
• Football
• Skiing
• Rugby

A common symptom of a proximal fibula fracture is pain on the outside of the knee or leg.  Pain is often immediate at the time of injury and can be severe. Common symptoms also include:

• Swelling and bruising of the leg
• Tenderness to touch over the fibula
• Difficulty putting weight on the ankle

If you injure your outer leg or knee from a direct blow or if you touch the bone on the outside of your knee or leg and it is painful or if you injured your leg and you can’t bear weight, you should see a doctor and have x-rays as the inability to weight bear and tenderness to the touch are signs of a broken or fractured fibula.

Your doctor will ask questions about your injury and symptoms and conduct a physical examination. If your doctor suspects a proximal fibula fracture, he or she will order an X-Ray. Most importantly your doctor will ask you questions and examine your ankle to make sure you do not have an injury to your ankle.

Treatment of an isolated proximal fibula fracture is almost always non operative; Treatment usually involves ice and rest and keeping weight off the leg for a short time. Sometimes an ace bandage or a walking boot can be helpful to allow the leg to heal.

Try these exercises to help address your condition:

Below is a PDF of the Exercise ProgramAnkle Fracture

If you suffer an isolated proximal fibula fracture, surgery is usually not needed. If you have a proximal fibula fracture and you have an injury to your ankle, surgery may be needed

Recovery time from an isolated proximal fibula fracture is approximately 6 weeks. Physical therapy will play an important role in an athlete’s recovery and return to play.