It was 4 weeks ago yesterday that I broke my fibula while cross-country skiing (I went down a big hill and BAM ! into deep snow - twisted my whole foot around backwards). I'm 42 and have NEVER broken anything in my life. Due to my sustanined Atkins weight loss of 50 lbs, I became a "jock" rather late in life. Though I am back to work (thank goodness !) and am grateful for my good care, I am secretly terrified about not returning to full strength. Are there any other "broken bone warriors" that could give me a little reassurance that I'll heal ok? I suppose I was lucky to have avoided the old "plate and screw" surgery (2 out of 3 docs told me the displacement wasn't enough to warrant it), but there's a sick, weird part of me that would feel BETTER if I knew a piece of titanium was holding the whole thing together !

LCB, hang in there! I too would go crazy if I couldn't be athletic like my body wants me to be now. The only bone I ever broke was in my wrist and it took some time. But you'll be back in no time.

I believe that you will probably get back to close to 100% thanks to low carbing. I know that my injury does not compare to yours. But I popped my knee out of socket and believe me...I'd rather be in labor!!! But after I went to ER for treatment I not only had I NOT sustained an injury, my doctor noticed that I had incredible bone mass for an "old" lady. On top of that, my knee felt even better after the pain had healed then it did before I popped out my knee. I should have popped out my knee years ago. Is that karma good enough for yah?

If you can avoid it, you are much better off without the screws and plates. Even in your 40's, your body will heal, and continuing with a LC diet will make your body heal faster than otherwise. I have broken more bones than I want to remember including my arm 2 years ago while skiing in Steamboat, but I have never had to go the screw and plate route.

My daughter just finished up with 3 surgeries to correct some leg issues and she had two 4 inch L brackets and eight 1 ½” screw in her legs. They were necessary for her recovery, but all that steel in her body caused a lot of swelling and pain.

Good luck, rest up and keep posting.

Thanks everyone. I am five weeks and one day out from my injury. On February 15th, it'll be 6 weeks and 2 days (can you tell I'm counting?), and that's my next set of x-rays. One more week to go !!! I SOOOO hope that I'll be allowed to start walking, at least some. I miss running TERRIBLY - I haven't run since December 31st !!! Things are finally looking a little better this weekend. I am exercising doing upper body on my bowflex and peddling an exercise bike with my good leg. Out of fear that being more sedentary would make me "weak", I cracked down on my carb intake, especially the 3 weeks I was home, and though I can't yet weigh myself, I know I've lost weight as my pants are looser. ECO - I was in Steamboat 2 yrs ago, and had a few good tumbles there myself !!!