Dr. Timothy K. Durnin - 10/12/2007

Question
my brother in law was injured in an auto accident 10/1/07.  The on call ER orthopedic surgon said that his rt ankle and heel were the worst fracture he had seen in that area. He has practiced 36 yrs.  His rt fibula had a nondisplaced fracture.  They admitted him but only sutured a laceration on his hip.  The orthopod said they would do something with the two fractures "later".  Needless to say the rt ankle became very swollen, huge blisters, broken blisters, looks like third degree burns.  The orthopod said they could not do anything to repair the ankle and heel until the external foot was healed.  They DISCHARGED him home yesterday 10/10/07 with home health care to change the dressing on the left foot.  The orthopod has now decided that the rt fibula fracture doesn't need any treatment and he can walk on it with crutches, but no pressure on the left foot.  I fear my brother in law is in much danger of loosing at best his left foot.  This is a  workman's comp case, but the young man who hit my brother in law was at fault, he hit him head on traveling left of center.  This young man has insurance. I can't talk these people into going to another doctor.

Answer
Hi Judy,

I agree with the ortho, he needs to ice it as much as possible and keep it elevated. Weight bearing as tolerated, the fibula is clinically insignificant since it is not a weight bearing structure and is non-displaced. I typed up a previous response only to have the computer lock up. This is a little more brief but to the point, he needs to watch out for a compartment syndrome, research this online and ask the doc if he is at risk. Find the best foot surgeon possible when he is ready, you only get one chance to get this right!

Good Luck!

Dr. Timothy Durnin