Home Care for Compound Tib/Fib

[Patient]

My good friend's 16 year old son suffered a compound tib/fib fracure in a football game yesterday afternoon. Surgery was done early this morning and he just got home sprouting 9 pins and a couple of plates holding his leg together.

His mother has had zero sleep and I'm not certain she understood the home care instructions. The son was sent home with vicodin for pain relief, and I suspect that isn't going to cut it - particularly when the muscle spasms really kick in. I also think he was sent home too soon and should have been kept in at least overnight for pain management alone.

What would you recommend for home care for this type of injury? Obviously I'm not a nurse, but I'm very interested in all things medical and thought I'd go to the experts - the nurses. Please understand, I am NOT asking anyone to practice medicine without a license, but rather, I'm looking for general information in caring for a tib/fib injury. Is there a "one size fits all" treatment, or does it vary from doctor-to-doctor and hospital-to-hospital? Many thanks!

[P_RN, ADN, RN]

The hospital should have sent some teaching material home with him. As a nursing forum we can't give medical advice. Have his mom contact the doctor for perhaps a home health referral. And if the med seems inadequate to ask the doctor for other measures.

[NRSKarenRN, BSN, RN]

from emedicine.com

fracture, tibia and fibula

patient education: broken leg.