2024-03-06 08:17:00
After a poor reception, the diagnosis was made: Margot Chevrier suffered from an open fracture of the talus, formerly known as talus.
This bone provides the link between the joint of the foot and that of the ankle, “it is through it that the flexion/extension movements of the foot are carried out”, notes orthopedic surgeon Philippe Paillard on his site.
What fractures?
In athletes, a fracture generally occurs during a fall or impact with an opponent or equipment. Ankle fracture is one of the most common. Most often, it is a fracture of the external malleolus.
Fracture of the clavicle is also common, especially during a fall while cycling or in judo. Just like the fracture of a finger or a metacarpal, which we find in volleyball, handball…
Contact sports, such as rugby or combat sports, are responsible for facial fractures. Recently, we remember the maxillo-zygomatic fracture of the captain of the XV of France, Antoine Dupont, during the Rugby World Cup.
Athletes are also subject to stress fractures. “This is an injury caused by overuse or training,” explains the Research Institute for Medical Well-being and Sports Health (IRBMS). They most often affect the lower limbs, metatarsals, calcaneus, tibia, fibula, etc.
Excessive sporting efforts generate microcracks which following a while reveal a stress fracture. Too demanding training and poor equipment in particular can encourage the appearance of these fractures.
Some fractures are life-threatening and require emergency surgery. This is the case for large bones, such as the femur, the fracture of which can cause blood loss, trapped in the thigh, and which can lead to hemorrhagic shock.
Surgical intervention or not?
In the event of an open fracture, as in the case of Margot Chevrier, surgery is also obligatory. To protect the bone in the first place and thus reduce the risk of infection. It is also often necessary to fix the bone with the help of fixation material.
Displaced, unstable or complex fractures most often require surgical intervention in order to regain the best possible function of the affected limb but also early osteoarthritis in the event of poor management.
For simple, non-displaced fractures, treatment consists of immobilization of the fractured limb (cast, splint or clavicular rings, slings).
Concerning stress fractures, according to the IRBMS, surgical intervention is exceptional. “The treatment is therefore the usual one in this type of injury: possible discharge if possible, sports rest, icing, splint or orthosis”, specifies the Institute which estimates that 4 to 8 weeks will be necessary for the bone to be consolidated.
What rehabilitation?
At least 45 days will be necessary for the bone to consolidate. For fractures with surgery, rehabilitation can begin the next day.
“The first days of post-surgery physiotherapy consist of calming the pain, working on joint mobility and draining any edema or hematoma. Local cryotherapy helps calm inflammatory signs and pain,” specifies the site specializing in the care of athletes’ injuries Hopp-Sport.
Otherwise, it is a matter of regaining the mobility of the injured limb. “The objective is to avoid stiffness and to stimulate the overall musculature so as not to lose too much muscle during the rest phase,” continues Hopp-Sport.
As soon as possible, specific mobility work begins as well as muscle strengthening. We will then have to rediscover the sporting gesture and the constraints of high-level sport.
Can we get back to our level?
“If the high-level athlete has not destroyed the joint, if the injury is well repaired and if he has been properly taken care of, he can return to his initial level following an injury,” notes on his site Internet Dr. Christophe Cermolacce.
It is also the mind that comes into play at this moment. The occurrence of a fracture can leave a trauma and the rehabilitation of an athlete must also allow him to return without fear to a track or field.
“A player who suffers a major ankle fracture, often playing rugby, returns 5 months later. It’s largely thanks to the mind,” adds the specialist.
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