How to Diagnose a Broken Fibula

The fibula bone is the thinnest bone of the lower leg or shin. It is as long as the shinbone, but off to the lateral side of it. Diagnosing a broken fibula is done by the doctor asking a series of questions, a physical examination and X-rays. Proper diagnosis and treatment of a broken fibula depends on determining the exact site and type of the break.

Things You'll Need

• List of types of fractures
• Physical exam
• X-ray

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Instructions

Diagnosing a Broken Fibula

• 1

  You must determine the exact location and type of break that has occurred. If the break is an open fracture where part of the bone is sticking out of the skin, call for emergency medical treatment.
  The other types of fractures that may occur are; closed fractures, displaced fractures, and simple fractures. In a closed fracture, the skin is not broken. Displaced fractures are when the bone slides out of alignment. Look for bruises and swelling to determine where the fibula is broken.

• 2

  Look for the following symptoms to diagnose the location and type of the break: deformity of the leg, severe pain, inability to walk, swelling, pain, bruising, grating of the bone ends.

• 3

  Your doctor will ask how the break occurred and what type of pain you felt immediately after the injury. He will ask if you have broken this bone before. The doctor will ask where it is most painful. He will palpitate and physically examine the leg to see where the pain is occurring.

• 4

  Get X-rays or other electronic images to complete the diagnoses of a broken fibula. An X-ray will show the exact location of the break and the severity. Other types of images---such as Computerized Tomography (CT Scan) or Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)---can be done for a more detailed picture