What is Displaced Tibial Plateau Fracture
Displaced tibial plateau fracture means that one or more pieces of your tibial plateau have been moved out of normal position.
A tibial plateau fracture is a break in the bone that forms the bottom of your knee joint (tibiaor shin bone). The lower end of your thigh bone (femur) forms the upper surface of your knee joint. The top of the tibia has a flat, smooth surface (tibial plateau).
This part of the shin bone is made of softer bone than the shaft of the shin bone. If a strong force shoves your femur down into your tibial plateau, the tibial plateau can collapse or break away at the edges. This is also called an intra-articular fracture.
Without treatment, this fracture can make your knee unstable. It can also lead to arthritis or difficulty walking.
What are the causes?
Common causes of this type of fracture include:
- Car accidents.
- Jumps or falls from a significant height.
- Injuries from high-energy sports or contact sports.
What increases the risk?
You may be at higher risk for this type of fracture if:
- You play high-energy sports or contact sports.
- You have a history of bone infections.
- You are an older person with a condition that causes weak bones (osteoporosis).
What are the signs or symptoms?
Signs and symptoms of a displaced tibial plateau fracture begin immediately after the injury. They may include:
- Pain that is worse when you use your knee to support your body weight.
- Swelling of your knee.
- Bruising around your knee.
Other symptoms may include:
- Your knee looking out of place (deformity).
- Your foot looking pale and feeling cool to the touch.
- Having a feeling of pins and needles around your foot.
How is this diagnosed?
A displaced tibial plateau fracture can be diagnosed with X-rays. Sometimes, a CT scan is done to help your health care provider:
- To identify how much the bone has moved out of place.
- To find any broken-off pieces of bone.
How is this treated?
Treatment for a displaced tibial plateau fracture is surgery to put the pieces of broken bone back into place (open reduction). This surgery is usually done as soon as possible.
While you are waiting for surgery, your health care provider may prescribe pain medicines.
Follow these instructions at home:
If you are sent home before surgery, follow these instructions:
Managing pain, stiffness, and swelling
- If
directed, apply ice to the injured area:
- Put ice in a plastic bag.
- Place a towel between your skin and the bag.
- Leave the ice on for 20 minutes, 2–3 times a day.
- Raise the injured area above the level of your heart while you are sitting or lying down.
Driving
- Do notdrive or operate heavy machinery while you are taking pain medicine.
Activity
- Return to your normal activities as directed by your health care provider. Ask your health care provider what activities are safe for you.
- Perform range-of-motion exercises only as directed by your health care provider.
Safety
- Do notuse your injured limb to support your body weight until your health care provider says that you can. Use crutches or a walker as directed by your health care provider.
General instructions
- Do notuse any tobacco products, including cigarettes, chewing tobacco, or electronic cigarettes. Tobacco can delay bone healing. If you need help quitting, ask your health care provider.
- Take medicines only as directed by your health care provider.
- Keep all follow-up visits as directed by your health care provider. This is important.
Contact a health care provider if:
Any of these things happen while you are waiting for surgery:
- Your pain medicine is not helping.
- You develop chills or a fever.
Get help right away if:
Any of these things happen while you are waiting for surgery:
- You have severe pain or swelling.
- Your calf feels warm and is swollen and painful.
- You have chest pain.
- You have trouble breathing.
