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CAM Boot Fibula Fracture Rehab Program​

Weeks 3-5

 

Recovering from a fibula fracture and still in a CAM boot?

This structured 3-week training program begins after the first 2 weeks of protected weightbearing - it helps individuals maintain strength, conditioning, and confidence while protecting healing bone.

No impact.
No loaded gait work.
No risky progressions.

Just smart, structured loading.

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Not sure if this is right for you? Book a consult

Who This Program Is For

​This program is designed for athletes who:

• Are 2–5 weeks post fibula fracture
• Are weightbearing in a CAM boot
• Are cleared for progressive strengthening
• Want to maintain fitness during recovery
• Plan to return to field, court, or performance sport

It is appropriate for youth and adult athletes in-season or off-season.

Why You Shouldn’t “Just Rest”

Stopping training completely leads to:

• Rapid deconditioning
• Calf weakness
• Loss of work capacity
• Slower return-to-play
• Increased reinjury risk

This program keeps you progressing safely within medical constraints.

What’s Included

• 5 structured sessions per week (3 mandatory, 2 optional)
• Controlled bilateral strength (≤70% during boot phase)
• Progressive calf strengthening
• Upper body strength maintenance
• Core stability work
• Bike conditioning intervals
• Pull buoy swimming intervals (no kicking)
• Strict “Not-To-Do” activity guidelines

Each session includes clear purpose, sets, reps, tempo, rest, and regression options.

Built for the Boot Phase

If you are still required to wear a CAM boot for walking, this program is specifically structured to:

• Avoid locomotion under load
• Eliminate torsional stress
• Control strain rate
• Maintain aerobic fitness without impact

It bridges the gap between rehab and return to performance.

When to Progress to the Next Phase

Injury does not have to mean regression.

Train intelligently.
Respect healing.
Return prepared.

What Happens After Week 5 or 6?

This 3-week program is designed to bridge the gap between early healing and medical reassessment.

In most fibula fracture cases, a repeat X-ray is performed around Week 5 or 6, followed by review with a Sports Physician or medical provider.
 

This program prepares the athlete for that reassessment by maintaining:

• Strength
• Calf load tolerance
• Aerobic conditioning
• Work capacity

However, it does not replace ongoing evaluation.
 

Further rehabilitation and performance training beyond this phase should be guided by:

• Updated imaging findings
• Clinical examination
• Tenderness resolution
• Load tolerance testing
• Return-to-run readiness markers


Progression into running, plyometrics, and change-of-direction work should only occur following medical clearance and individual reassessment.

This Is Phase 1 — Not the Final Step

Think of this program as:
Phase 0: See below

Phase 1: Controlled Boot-Phase Reload
Phase 2: Post-Imaging Strength & Run Reintroduction
Phase 3: Elastic & Sport-Specific Return

The next phase depends entirely on medical findings and individual response to load.

Returning to sport safely requires progression — not impatience.

Phase 0 – Protection & Medical Management (Weeks 0–2)

Definition

Phase 0 is the immediate post-injury period following diagnosis of a fibula fracture. The primary objective is protection, medical assessment, and inflammation management — not performance training.

This phase typically spans the first 10–14 days after injury.
 

Primary Objectives

• Protect the fracture site
• Confirm diagnosis via imaging (X-ray ± follow-up imaging)
• Establish medical management plan
• Control swelling and pain
• Prevent secondary complications
• Maintain general health without stressing the fracture


This is not a training phase.
It is a healing and stabilization phase.

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What Happens During Phase 0


1️⃣ Medical Assessment

  • Diagnostic imaging confirms fracture type (e.g., undisplaced mid-shaft fibula)

  • Evaluation for instability or associated injury

  • Determination of weightbearing status

  • Prescription of CAM boot or immobilisation

  • Pain management plan


2️⃣ Protection

Depending on physician direction:

  • Non-weightbearing or partial weightbearing

  • CAM boot or brace

  • Crutches if required

  • Strict avoidance of sport and loading


3️⃣ Load Restrictions


During Phase 0 there should be:

🚫 No strength training involving the injured limb
🚫 No calf strengthening
🚫 No standing bilateral loading (if non-weightbearing)
🚫 No conditioning that stresses the ankle
🚫 No swimming kick
🚫 No impact or court activity


If conditioning occurs at all, it should be:

  • Seated upper body erg only

  • Fully non-weightbearing

  • Pain-free


Tissue Biology Consideration

In this phase, bone healing is in the inflammatory stage:

  • Hematoma formation

  • Early callus development

  • High vulnerability to displacement

  • Low tolerance to torsion and compression

This is why protection — not progression — is the priority.


Athlete Mindset During Phase 0

This is often the most psychologically difficult period.

Athletes should understand:

  • Doing less now protects long-term return.

  • Early overloading delays total recovery.

  • The goal is to arrive at Week 3 ready to reload safely.


Transition to Phase 1 (Boot-Phase Reload)

Phase 0 transitions into Phase 1 when:

• Pain is controlled
• Weightbearing status is clarified
• CAM boot walking is tolerated
• Physician clears progressive strengthening

Only then should structured reload training begin.


Summary

Phase 0 is about:

Stabilize.
Protect.
Assess.
Prepare for safe progression.

It sets the foundation for every phase that follows.

Disclaimer:
This program is not medical treatment and is not a substitute for professional medical evaluation, diagnosis, or imaging. Athletes should only participate if cleared by their physician and should discontinue use if pain or symptoms worsen.

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