Foot & Ankle - "Clean break" vs a hairline fracture (x-rays, pain)

[Bette]

Fell down a step 17 days ago. Went to an emergency place where the foot and ankle and most of the leg was put into a soft cast/splint, Xrays done (hairline fracture) and told to check it out with an orthpedic surgeon.

Finally got into to see an orthopedic surgeon today! They took X-rays, determined not a hairline fracture but a "clean break" and now I have a boot. Told 6-8 weeks, then I will have a brace.

Seems like a long time. I felt I was getting better until today; now very discouraged.

Anyone have a story?

[Hedgehog_Mom]

The boot will help a lot. I was told that they can't see a hairline fracture on an x-ray, that it has to be diagnosed through MRI. The hairline fracture will show on x-ray after the bone has healed. So you probably didn't get worse in the last 17 days, you've just started to heal and the orthopedic surgeon, who is the real expert, was able to determine that you needed more than the soft cast/splint to heal.

It's good news.

My broken leg story involves lots of pain while waiting weeks for surgery, surgery, months of casts and splints and limping, several years of pain...on the other hand, I had a hairline fracture before in my foot, wore a boot for several weeks, and it healed up as good as new.

[Bette]

I have a new fashion accessory then!

Thanks!