One of the most important bones in the lower body, the fibula is a non-weight bearing bone located behind the tibia, or shin. A slender bone, the fibula is easy to break while playing contact sports such as football. Although it is possible to play football with a broken fibula depending on the severity of the break, in the long run, it could possibly lead to more serious health problems such as permanent ligament damage and the bone not healing properly.
Function
The fibula is sometimes considered the "calf bone" in that it sits behind the tibia, or shin bone, but it does not bear any weight when you run or stand. It assists with muscle structure of the gastrocnemius or calf muscle, and can be utilized for large bone grafts.
Symptoms
A broken fibula can be identified by severe pain, loss of mobility, difficulty walking and swelling in the affected area. The fibula can break from direct trauma such as a low tackle to the legs or a teammate falling on top of another player. Indirectly, the fibula can break by twisting the calf, which can occur in rapid change of direction moves or outside of football in some industrial accidents.
Recovery
Provided there is no tissue damage to the calf, the lower leg can be put in a cast. If there is significant tissue and ligament damage or the fibula is shattered, then surgery is necessary. A broken fibula, on average, needs six to eight weeks to heal, followed by physical therapy. In 2010, New Orleans Saints runningback Reggie Bush broke his right fibula while trying to recover a punt and took six weeks to heal.
Tim Tebow
Former Florida Gators quarterback Tim Tebow played on a broken fibula in his right leg when he was a junior at Nease High School in Ponte Vedra Nease, Florida. Originally thought to be a bad cramp, Tebow played an entire second half with the broken leg, scoring a 29-yard rushing touchdown; however, he missed the rest of that season. The injury did not have any long-term complications, as he went on to have one of the most celebrated careers in college football history at the University of Florida and was drafted 25th overall by the Denver Broncos in the 2010 NFL Draft.
References
- CBS Sports: Tim Tebow
- Physio Room: Broken Leg in Brief
- The Disabled List; How Do You Treat a Broken Fibula? Charles Woodson Oakland Raiders; Oct. 26, 2005
- The Huffington Post; Reggie Bush Injury: Injured Saint Has Broken Fibula; Brett Martel; Sept. 21, 2010
- Denver Post; Tebow Quickly Impressed McDaniels, Broncos as a Genuine Gem; Lindsay H. Jones; Apr. 25, 2010
