S82: Fracture of lower leg, including ankle

S82.4: Fracture of fibula alone

A fracture of the fibula alone is a traumatic injury that involves a break in the smaller of the two bones in the lower leg, known as the fibula. These fractures can occur independently or as part of a more complex injury to the ankle or the lower leg. The fibula carries less weight than its adjacent bone, the tibia, so it's more prone to fractures. A high-impact incident, like a car accident or a fall, or a lower impact incident with a twist, like certain sports injuries, are common causes. Symptoms often include pain, swelling, and bruising around the injured area. Difficulty walking or bearing weight on the leg is also typical. The damage can vary in severity from small, hairline cracks to a complete break that pierces the skin. The fracture may affect not only the bone, but also the surrounding muscles, ligaments, and blood vessels.