Lower leg fracture

Overview

If more pressure is put on a bone than its stability allows, it will break in one or more places. In the case of the lower leg, the shin bone or calf bone (fibula) can break. A fracture causes severe pain and swelling, and sometimes a misalignment is visible. For such injuries, the lower leg must be splinted, immobilised and cooled, and a doctor must be consulted immediately.

Symptoms

Main symptoms

• Pain, swelling and bruising (haematoma)
• Limited movement of the lower leg
• Misalignment or abnormal position of the bone (e.g. twisted, torsioned, shortened)

Other symptoms

• Injury to neighbouring structures
  • Blood vessels: heavy bleeding
  • Nerves: sensory disturbances, paralysis (typical: foot can't be raised)
• Risk of infection if open fracture
  

Causes and treatment

Causes

• Receiving a blow, falling, twisting (accident)
• Pathologic fracture: bone weakened by osteoporosis can break during normal everyday activities

Further treatment by your doctor / in hospital

Possible tests

• X-ray
• CT scan (computed tomography)
• MRI (magnetic resonance imaging)

Possible therapies

• Painkillers
• Immobilisation (e.g. plaster cast or splint)
• Operation (e.g. plates attached with screws to hold the broken bones together)

What can I do myself?

• Try to move the fractured area as little as possible, stabilise and immobilise the injured leg
• Cooling
• Cushion the updrawn or bent leg
• Exercises after the operation/application or removal of the plaster cast

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When to see a doctor?

• Severe pain
• Severe swelling
• Big bruise (haematoma)
• If bones are abnormally positioned or abnormally mobile
• Injuries with open wounds, parts of the bone may be visible