[Updated] OL Baca fractures ankle and out for spring

(HT to Chris09) Per Jon Gold, Jeff Baca broke his ankle yesterday at practice and underwent surgery last night. Stan Hasiak and Connor Bradford will move up in the rotation to fill his spot for now.

Get well, Jeff. We'll need everyone back and ready to go in the fall.

Update: HT to fresia39 for posting the tweet from Jeff with a link to his xray. He has a fibular shaft fracture that was plated. The injury is well above the ankle joint, and bears minimal weight. This has a much better prognosis than ankle fractures that require surgery, so that's some good news, I guess.

about 1 year ago gbruin 6 comments 0 recs |

Story-email Email Printer Print

Comments

Thank you fresia and gbruin

for posting the picture and letting us know what it means.

by Chris09 on Apr 1, 2011 3:55 PM PDT reply actions

I watched a buddy go through something like this.

A year later he was still having a hard time staying on his feet for long periods of time. Outside of that generality, I do not know how similar the two injuries are. I think my friend had more screws placed in his ankle. I think 14.

I sincerely hope Jeff’s injury is as light as it is being described.

The best thing you can do for your children is to love their mother. John Wooden

by MexiBruin on Apr 2, 2011 8:57 AM PDT reply actions

Location

I love it when x-rays are posted!! Fortunately for Baca, he has far more resources and time at his disposal to rehab than most people do. Goodluck to him.

Mexi, did your friend ever go to physical therapy after his injury?

by Bruin'96 on Apr 2, 2011 12:02 PM PDT reply actions

I come in Peace...

This will give you a little more detailed information on the injury.

Ankle fractures with a syndesmosis injury

Those two long screws going into the distal Tibia are syndesmotic screws that will stabilize the ligaments between the Tibia and the Fibula. You can’t see them on the Xray but those ligaments are a significant stabilizing structure of the ankle.

He should be fine by Fall Ball (but he could be a little behind) as they will probably remove the screw.

Hopes this helps…Good luck!!

"Lightning from the Sky, Thunder from the Sea,"
"We aim .......... to please"
Conquest Chronicles

by Paragon SC on Apr 2, 2011 3:40 PM PDT reply actions

Nice link, thanks.

I was wondering about why the horizontal screw(s) were placed. Some serious biomechanical engineering. :)

by Bruin'96 on Apr 2, 2011 4:09 PM PDT up reply actions

Thanks, Paragon

You are correct. Appreciate the link. Rupture of the syndesmotic ligaments between the tibia and fibula allow the two bones to separate. When the space between them widens, the ankle joint becomes unstable.

The two (long) syndesmotic screws should be removed when he starts weight bearing in about 8 weeks, as putting weight on the leg will put torque on those screws and can cause them to break.

greg in denver, UCLA guy for life - BruinsNation.com

by gbruin on Apr 2, 2011 8:34 PM PDT up reply actions