Date of Award

2015

Document Type

Scholarly Project

Degree Name

Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT)

Department

Physical Therapy

First Advisor

Cindy Flom-Meland

Keywords

Athletic Injuries -- rehabilitation; Fibula -- injuries; Fractures, Stress -- therapy; Case Reports

Abstract

Background and Purpose: Distal fibular fractures are an uncommon injury in athletes, they are produced by repetitive stress to the fibula often due to overuse. The purpose of this case report is to discuss the rehabilitation following a distal fibular fracture of a young, female athlete and how the rehabilitation prepared the patient to return to her sports.

Case Description: The patient is 16 year old Caucasian female who participated in both cheerleading and gymnastics. She sustained a left distal fibular fracture while performing a stunt in cheerleading. The patient was referred to physical therapy following six weeks of activity modification and rest.

Intervention: The patient's plan of care included interventions that focused on lower extremity strengthening focusing on the left ankle and bilateral hip musculature, balance, jumping and running.

Outcome: The patient returned to her sports with no pain or difficulty following six weeks of intensive physical therapy.

Discussion: The patient obtained great results and her results fit in with former literature on fibular fractures.

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