Mark Crim - 6/2/2010
Question
x-rays
hi dr,
i'm haitham my brother had a fractured left hind limb (tibia + fibula) by a tackle during a football match ,
he was sent to the hospital , the doctors told us that he had to do an open reduction and intramedullary nailing ,
after 6 weeks we did another x-ray ,but i feel that there is slight or no progress ,but the oedema and bruising have subsided so much the knee movement and ankle movements r so much advanced ,
after 8 weeks the doctor told him just to put his leg on the ground to bear 1/4 of his wheight on it with the help of 2 stalks ,but my brother is too much afraid of that .... so i want u likely to take a look on the x-rays and to tell us about the estimated period this fracture would take to heal and what exercise he can do to enhance healing ,,,,, also he was afraid of the issue that some cases non union occurs ,so what are the causes of that rather than poor blood supply and infection ,and should we be fearfull about that ........the doctor told him to do an x-ray after 6 weeks .
AnswerDear Haitham,
I am not a Doctor I am an Orthopedic Surgical Technologist, It can take up too 3 to 6 months to fully go on to complete healing. Touch down weightbearing such as your brothers Doctor is telling him to do is beneficial to helping heal these type fractures, things that can have an affect on the fracture not healing are poor diet, smoking cigarettes, alcohol consumption, not following the Doctors orders and there are some things outside of your brothers control. Most likely this will go on to heal just fine. What I have explained to you hear is not a Diagnosis or prognosis if there are any concerns your brother should see and follow what his Doctor recommends.
