Introduction
This information leaflet should provide most of the information you need about your Minimally Displaced Weber B Ankle Fracture. Once the consultant has reviewed your X-Ray pictures, you may be called to clinic for a face-to-face appointment. If you are discharged from clinic, you may be given a Patient Initiated Follow-Up (PIFU) appointment that allows you to request further appointments if you have any problems. Useful contact numbers can be found at the end of this leaflet. You may receive a telephone call from the fracture clinic about your injury, normally within 1 week of your attendance at the Emergency Department.
What is it?
Weber B ankle fracture is a specific type of break that occurs in the fibula, the smaller of the two bones in your lower leg, on the outer part of the ankle. This injury is typically caused by a rolling or twisting motion of the ankle.
How is it treated?
You can use simple over the counter analgesia such as paracetamol. In the first 48 hours you can also use the RICE protocol to reduce pain and swelling:
- Rest: Immobilisation in a cast, walker boot or splint can reduce the pain and swelling (these will normally be given during your visit to the Emergency Department).
- Ice: Apply ice packs to reduce swelling. Don’t apply the ice directly to the skin. Place the ice in a plastic bag and wrap in a towel.
- Compression: Use an elastic bandage, such as Tubigrip, if you have any.
- Elevation: When sitting or lying, keep the leg raised on a pillow to reduce swelling.
Treatment after this involves immobilisation with a cast, boot or splint to allow the bone to heal. During this time, you will be given crutches to help with walking, as comfort allows.
There is a small chance that the fracture can move. You will normally have a further weight bearing X-ray at 2 weeks after the injury and the images will be reviewed again in the clinic.
Do I need pain relief?
Pain can be controlled using simple analgesics such as paracetamol or ibuprofen.
How long will it take to recover?
Healing times can vary, but the bone typically unites (heals) within 6 weeks. However, full recovery, including the resolution of pain and swelling, may take longer. You can wean yourself out of the splint or boot and walk without crutches after 6 to 8 weeks. Your level of activity can be guided by the amount of pain that you are experiencing. You should be able to carry out most day-to-day activities but strenuous tasks, even long walks, may take longer.
You may experience swelling for up to 6 months following the injury. Although most of these fractures heal well a small number may not, meaning that you may have persistent pain in the ankle.
If you have ongoing pain 12 weeks after the injury, please contact the fracture clinic.
Do exercises and physiotherapy help?
Yes, exercises do help to regain strength, range of movement and stability. You can commence these as soon as possible. You will find a list of exercises to do at home at the end of this leaflet.
When can I return to work and activity?
The amount of weightbearing will depend on the stability of the fracture and the advice of your orthopaedic consultant. Initially, you may weight bear as pain allows, gradually increasing as healing progresses.
Driving
You can commence driving once:
- You are no longer using the cast, boot or splint
- You can walk comfortably
- You can perform an emergency stop
Work
This depends on the type of work that you do:
Office based: You may be able to return to work once the pain has settled.
Physical work: May take longer especially if you spend a lot of time on your feet or do heavy physical work.
Sport
You can usually start again once you have a full range of movement and can walk briskly without pain. Returning to activity and sports should be a gradual process, guided by your pain levels and mobility. You can usually return to sports around 8 to 12 weeks after the injury depending on the pain and type of sport. It’s important to follow any specific rehabilitation exercises provided by the Physiotherapists and build up training gently.
Do I need follow-up?
Your X-ray images will be reviewed in a Virtual Fracture Clinic (VFC) by a consultant or a member of team. One of the clinic nurses will then call you with a treatment plan. Depending on the outcome of the clinic you will usually have one of the following:
Face-to-face Fracture Clinic appointment: You will be seen by the consultant or a member of the team for a consultation about your injury.
Telephone appointment: The Fracture Clinic consultant or nurse may call you for a consultation about your injury.
Referral to Physiotherapy: The physiotherapists will provide advice and treatment for your injury. They may give you specific exercises for you to do at home.
Patient Initiated Follow-Up (PIFU): You may be discharged from the clinic but you may be given a PIFU so that you can request further appointments should you continue to have problems after your injury. If this is the case, we will give you a number to call.
What if I need more information or help?
You can contact the fracture clinic directly if you have any concerns. If you have been given a PIFU, you can contact the team to request further appointments. Please see the lists of contacts at the end of this leaflet.
Exercises
Start these exercises gently and gradually and build up as your pain allows. You should aim to do these exercises 3 to 4 times per day. Some of the exercises can be started immediately but some may start later as your ankle begins to heal.
Exercises to start immediately:
Ankle Pumps: Sit or lie down with your leg straight. Move your foot up and down slowly. Repeat 10 to 15 times.
Ankle Circles: Sit or lie down with your leg elevated. Rotate your foot in circular motions. Complete 10 circles in each direction.
Exercises to start from 6 weeks onwards:
Towel Stretch: Sit with your leg extended. Wrap a towel around the ball of your foot. Gently pull the towel towards you for a stretch. Hold for 15 to 20 seconds and repeat 3 times.
Heel Raises: Stand with support from a chair or wall. Slowly rise onto your toes and lower back down. Repeat 10 to 15 times.
Calf Stretch: Stand facing a wall with your hands on it. Step back with the injured leg, keeping it straight. Press your heel down and hold for 20 to 30 seconds. Repeat 3 times.
Balancing: Stand on the injured leg and try to balance as long as possible. You may need to hold onto something to begin with until you regain full control of the ankle. Try to hold you balance for 30 seconds.
Contact
If you have any queries or concerns then please contact the hospital for further advice.
Between the hours of 9:00am and 4:30pm contact the fracture clinic on:
Scunthorpe: 03033 302164
Grimsby: 03033 306127
Goole: 03033 304036
Out of hours – then please contact the Emergency Department via switchboard:
Scunthorpe/Goole: 01724 282282
Grimsby: 01472 874111
Any Comments, Compliments, Concerns or Complaints
If you have any other concerns please talk to your nurse, therapist or doctor. Our Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS) is available on 03033 306518 (Grimsby, Scunthorpe and Goole). You can also contact [email protected]
As a Trust we value equality of access to our information and services, therefore alternative formats are available on request at [email protected]
NHS Website
NHS website is a health information service. The aim is to support the public to become active consumers of healthcare rather than passive recipients, and to help individuals, their family or carers to make more informed choices: https://www.nhs.uk/
Review information
Date of Issue: December 2025
Review period: December 2027