Dec 21, 2007 6:57 pm US/Eastern
Steelers' Parker Fractures Fibula During Game
PITTSBURGH (KDKA) ―
-
-
Willie Parker (File)
KDKA
In the second play of Thursday night's Steelers game against the St. Louis Rams, running back Willie Parker fractured his fibula.
KDKA's Dr. Maria Simbra reports that this is a fairly common injury, and doctors treat more than 185,000 leg fractures in the United States every year.
While the specifics of Parker's injury aren't clear, there are some things doctors have to think about when taking care of this kind of fracture.
"Any time you break a bone in your body, it's a serious injury," says Dr. Stephen Thomas, of the Greater Pittsburgh Orthopedics Associates. "In his case it's a serious thing obviously. It'll stop him from working."
The lower leg has two bones in it, the thick tibia, and the thinner fibula. The fibula runs through the calf and forms the outer part of the ankle. It's broken more commonly, usually from contact sports, reports Dr. Maria. It can break at the far end, or sometimes where an important nerve that helps lift your foot crosses the bone.
Ironically, Rams defensive end Jack Youngblood fractured his fibula in the playoffs after the 1979 season. He was fitted with a plastic brace and continued to play - even against the Steelers in Super Bowl 14.
For Parker, doctors say his not so ordinary job will have to be something that is taken into account.
"Generally within a week or so, you're back to work, kind of hobbling around, maybe four to six weeks before you're healed," says Dr. Thomas. "Someone like Willie Parker, who has to run and jump and do these sorts of things, it may be a little longer."
According to Dr. Maria, a cast or just treating the inflammation may be all that's needed if the bone isn't shattered, or if there's no extensive damage to tissue around it. Otherwise surgery could be involved.
Usually, she adds, fibulas heal without complications, but there can be problems later if the break doesn't join just right when it's healing.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
Click to enlarge
Stumble It!
