Duration of sick leave
The duration of sick leave after a fibula fracture depends on the extent of the injury. At the beginning, the patient usually receives a certificate of incapacity to work for 4 – 6 weeks, which can be extended depending on the severity of the injury and the duration of the healing process.
Removal of the plate after surgery
The question of the removal of a metal plate that was used to treat a fibula fracture cannot be answered in a generalized manner. Complete bone healing after a fibula fracture must always be considered individually. Removal of the plate is only indicated after complete healing of the bony fracture.
The current status of bone healing can be assessed with the help of postoperative X-ray image controls. Sometimes there may be reasons that necessitate premature removal of the materials used in the operation, such as a metal plate.These reasons include infections, subjective sensation of disturbance, weakening of the bone tissue, incorrect fusion of the fractured bone parts, and migration of the metal plate used towards the outside of the lower leg. After an individual assessment of the bone healing by the surgeon, the metal plate can usually be removed after about 4-18 months.
The removal of the metal plate is carried out in the course of another operation. The surgical removal of the metal plate is followed by a final X-ray check 3 months later. This final X-ray diagnosis serves again to check the exact reduction of the fractured bone parts.
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