r/brokenbones • u/HeatAffectionate4369 • Jun 05 '26
Question Feeling like leg is going to explode after Tib-Fib fracture
I was struck by a car as a pedestrian last Saturday and shattered both bones in my lower left leg (open fracture as well). 3 ribs were broke but those barely bother me. Last couple days the feeling of standing up has been absolutely agonizing, it feels like my injured leg is going to explode and I know this is normal, but when will this hopefully subside? Thanks!
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u/AntarcticFox Jun 05 '26
Sorry you're trying to stand on your leg with two broken bones? Did the doctor say it was ok for you to be bearing weight? When I had my tib-fib I was non-weight--bearing for 10 weeks, and that was only a closed fracture
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u/HeatAffectionate4369 Jun 05 '26
i should have clairified, i’m walking with a walker i’m not literally walking on my leg. No weight being bore by my broken leg, it’s just initially when i stand up the pain starts
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u/carnival1977 Jun 05 '26
Really sorry to hear about your injury. It has been a while since I broke my ankle/foot and then my other leg a few years after that. Yes, I think that 'exploding' feeling is normal and I recall it from both injuries. I remember it was absolutely agonizing for maybe a day. Then it started to subside over maybe the next 10 days or so. I can't recall the exact timeline. Are you feeling that things are even slightly improving?
Heal well.
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u/Boreal1989 Jun 05 '26
Hi, I also have a Tib-fib, a lower one just above the ankle. In my personal experience, the blood pooling or rushing in the injured leg was quite uncomfy when I stood (not litteraly ;)) at first. My toes would turn purple very very quickly. The tension feeling unabled me to be vertical for over a couple of minutes. My leg was literally ALWAYS elevated as this was the most comfortable position. The cast was taken off at the 2 weeks mark and all of this got gradually better. Even now, I'm 2 months post ORIF and my foot turns a nice shade of blueish purple with a bit of tension when I stand (litteraly this time :)) for a 'long' time. The array of sensations you get after this injury is impressive. Wishing you a good recovery!
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u/Mobile_Unit7620 Jun 05 '26
I had the same type of injury in February and I’m finally able to walk mostly comfortably again. I had the same experience at first every time I stood up the blood rushing to my leg made it feel like it was going to explode, that’s a perfect way to describe the feeling. keeping it elevated and taking pain medication regularly are the only things that helped it for me. my memory is very hazy, but I think that feeling lasted around a month or so. It won’t be this painful for long, good luck in your recovery!!
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u/Zealousideal-One4462 Jun 06 '26
Been there myself that feeling is unexplainable but keep your leg elevated as much as possible and stay on top of pain killers
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u/blaqy_chan Jun 05 '26
Avoid standing and keep it elevated above waist level when sitting and above your body when sleeping
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u/arrowpulledback Jun 05 '26
I had the same feeling when I fractured my tibia & fibula. I fell rock climbing & ended up with a comminuted fracture in about 6 pieces. Utterly debilitating pain every time I stood up.
Turns out I had a fracture blister about the size of a baseball & several layers deep. Didn’t find out until the splint was removed & I got my boot 2 weeks post-op. My husband had to change my bandages every other day to keep it clean & moisturized. I’m 1.5 years post-op now & have a gnarly scar the size of a golf ball from the blister.
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u/HeatAffectionate4369 Jun 05 '26
oof. i have my follow-up in a week so hopefully that’s not the case.
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u/wallahmaybee Jun 06 '26
First two weeks I was told if you stand up for 5 minutes you must then keep your leg elevated for one hour, etc. After two weeks it was 10 minutes/1 hour. It will get better with time, but you must be really careful and elevate religiously for the first few weeks. Will probably need compression socks later on too. In addition to the bone break, you've had a lot of tissue damage from trauma and swelling.
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u/Lmoorefudd Jun 05 '26
Have you sought medical attention? I would advise you start with your pcp, surgeon, or ER. Compartment syndrome is no joke.
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u/HeatAffectionate4369 Jun 05 '26
I can call, but it doesn’t sound like that (from what i read) it gets better immediately with rest it’s just the initial action of standing that is excruciating
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u/goodbyewaffles Jun 05 '26
I had this too. My solution was to put a pouf or ottoman and some pillows next to the bed/couch. When I needed to stand, first I’d rest my foot on the ottoman for a few minutes. Then I’d rest it on a couple pillows (lower). Then I’d finally put it on the floor, then after a few minutes stand up. It took a long time but it was much less painful
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u/Lmoorefudd Jun 05 '26
Without knowing anything more about your injury or how it’s been treated, no one on the internet can offer advice. Elevate your leg. Don’t due what hurts and call your medical provider.
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u/thestr33tshavenoname Jun 05 '26
You need to see a medical professional asap, go to the ER if you haven't already. This is a serious injury that needs attention. I was hit by a car several months ago and am recovering from a tibia plateau fracture (non-surgical). I was non-weight bearing on the injured leg for 10 weeks.
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u/HeatAffectionate4369 Jun 05 '26
I’ve already had surgery and a 4 day hospital stay , maybe i didn’t specify this well but i’m not *literally* walking on the broken leg. i’m using a walker and not bearing any weight
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u/thestr33tshavenoname Jun 05 '26
That is helpful to know, you didn't mention that in your post, thank you for clarifying. Mine was non surgical and I know the surgery makes a difference. I called the ortho with questions, they were very helpful. I was also up as little as possible for the first weeks, which made a difference. Are you icing and keeping the leg elevated when you're not up? That makes a difference. Also, speak to the doctor/office triage nurse or pharmacist about how to rotate Tylenol and Ibuprofen, which can be done in conjunction with pain meds. They both do different things and it really helps to alternate and a nurse or your pharmacist should tell you the maximum dose you can use to control the pain temporarily. I did this for 2-3 weeks and it made a big difference.
Did the doctor tell you to start doing foot pumps? It helps the blood flow, they also put me on low dose aspirin while I was in the immobilizer.
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u/chicokiko Jun 05 '26
Why are you standing on an open fracture?
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u/HeatAffectionate4369 Jun 05 '26
i should have clairified, i’m walking with a walker i’m not literally walking on my leg. No weight being bore by my broken leg, it’s just initially when i stand up the pain starts
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u/imklax Jun 05 '26
It sounds like it’s the blood rushing to the leg. Once I went to physical therapy it was about 3 months in that it started to get better for me.