Tibial Fracture

What is Tibial Fracture

Tibial fracture is a break in the larger bone in the lower leg (tibia). This bone is also called the shin bone.

What are the causes?

This condition is caused by an injury to the leg from:

  • A fall.
  • Sports.
  • A car accident.

What are the signs or symptoms?

The shape of your leg may not look normal. You may:

  • Have pain.
  • Have swelling.
  • Have bruising.
  • Be unable to walk.
  • Have numbness or a pins-and-needles feeling in the feet.

How is this diagnosed?

Your doctor will:

  • Check your symptoms and medical history.
  • Do a physical exam.

You may also have other tests, including:

  • X-rays.
  • A CT scan.
  • MRI.

How is this treated?

Treatments may include:

  • Wearing a cast, splint, or brace until your bone has healed.
  • Using crutches as told by your doctor. This helps you not put weight on your leg.
  • Exercises (physical therapy). You will start after your cast, splint, or brace is removed.

If the injury caused parts of the bone to move out of place, your doctor may:

  • Need to put the bones back before putting on the cast, splint, or brace.
  • Do surgery to put metal rods, plates, or screws into the bone to hold it in place.

Follow these instructions at home:

If you have a splint or brace:

  • Wear the splint or brace as told by your doctor. Remove it only as told by your doctor.
  • Loosen the splint or brace if your toes tingle, lose feeling (get numb), or turn cold and blue.
  • Keep the splint or brace clean and dry.

If you have a cast:

  • Do not stick anything inside the cast to scratch your skin.
  • Check the skin around the cast every day. Tell your doctor about any concerns.
  • You may put lotion on dry skin around the edges of the cast.
  • Do not put lotion on the skin under the cast.
  • Keep the cast clean and dry.

Bathing

  • Do not take baths, swim, or use a hot tub until your doctor says it is okay. Ask your doctor if you can take showers. You may only be allowed to take sponge baths.
  • If the splint, brace, or cast is not waterproof.
    • Do not let it get wet.
    • Cover it with a watertight covering when you take a bath or a shower.

Managing pain, stiffness, and swelling

  • If told, put ice on the injured area:
    • If you have a removable splint, remove it as told by your doctor.
    • 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.
  • Move your toes often to avoid stiffness and to lessen swelling.
  • Raise (elevate) your lower leg above the level of your heart while you are sitting or lying down.

Activity

  • Do not use your leg to support your body weight until your doctor says it is okay.
  • Use crutches as told by your doctor.
  • Ask your doctor what activities are safe for you during recovery.
  • Avoid activities as told by your doctor.
  • Do exercises as told by your doctor.

Driving

  • Do not drive until your doctor says it is safe.
  • Do not drive or use heavy machinery while taking prescription pain medicine.

Medicines

  • Ask your doctor if you should take supplements of calcium and vitamin D to help your bones heal.
  • Take over-the-counter and prescription medicines only as told by your doctor.
  • To prevent or treat trouble pooping (constipation) while you are taking prescription pain medicine, your doctor may tell you to:
    • Drink enough fluid to keep your pee (urine) pale yellow.
    • Take medicines.
    • Eat foods that are high in fiber, such as fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains, and beans.
    • Limit foods that are high in fat and sugars, such as fried or sweet foods.

General instructions

  • Do not put pressure on any part of the cast or splint until it is fully hardened. This may take many hours.
  • Do not use any products that have nicotine or tobacco in them, such as cigarettes and e-cigarettes. These can delay bone healing. If you need help quitting, ask your doctor.
  • Keep all follow-up visits as told by your doctor. This is important.

Contact a doctor if you have:

  • Pain that gets worse or does not get better with medicine.
  • Redness or swelling that gets worse.
  • Numbness or tingling in your toes or foot.

Get help right away if:

  • Your foot or toes get cold or turn blue, even after you loosen your splint.
  • You have very bad pain.

Summary

  • A tibial fracture is a break in the larger bone in your lower leg.
  • You will need to wear a cast, splint, or brace until the bone is healed.
  • Use crutches as told by your doctor.
  • Ask your doctor what activities are safe for you during recovery.
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