Broken tibia how long in cast

If the fracture is open or comminuted, healing time may take longer. Your doctor will often prescribe medications for pain-relief for a short period of time after the injury or surgery. As soon as pain begins to improve, these medications can be stopped. At the beginning of the healing process, you will probably need the assistance of crutches or a walker.

Some cases may allow the patient to put as much weight as possible onto the leg after the injury or surgery, but you may not able to put your full weight onto the leg until the fracture is healed. Since you will not be using your leg for an extended period of time, the muscles within your leg will most likely be weakened. Exercising during the recovery process is essential, and physical therapy will help restore muscle strength, joint motion, and flexibility to the affected leg.

A physical therapist can also teach you how to properly use crutches and a walker. Unfortunately, some forces that cause a tibia fracture are simply out of our control.

However, the following tips can help lower your risk of a tibia fracture. Sports Medicine. Transverse fracture: the break of a transverse fracture is a horizontal line going straight across the tibial shaft. Oblique fracture: this type of break involves an angled line across the tibial shaft.

Spiral fracture: the fracture line of the spiral break encircles the tibial shaft like the stripes of a barber pole. Comminuted fracture: this fracture type is extremely unstable and involves the bone splintering into three or more pieces. All types of tibia fractures are defined as one of the following. Stable fracture: the broken ends of the tibia correctly line up and are aligned. Displaced fracture: unlike the stable fracture, the broken ends of the tibia are out of place and do not correctly line up.

Closed fracture: the skin surrounding the fracture is intact. Open or compound fracture: the broken end of the tibia punctures through the skin, or there is a wound that shows the bone. This type of fracture can cause much more significant damage to the surrounding muscles, tendons, and ligaments. Stable fracture patterns and those that gain stability early may be converted to a Sarmiento cast or fracture-brace as early as 4 weeks.

Protect tibial fractures for at least 12 weeks. The average healing time is 16—24 weeks. Fracture instability after 24 weeks is considered a delayed union. For aftercare and rehabilitation following nonoperative treatment please refer to your local protocol. Principles Undisplaced or minimally displaced fractures Conservative treatment is always recommended for undisplaced or minimally displaced fractures.

Displaced fractures Displaced fractures that can be reduced, and maintain acceptable alignment, can also be treated conservatively, ie, oblique or transverse fractures, especially if the fibula is intact. Long leg cast Conservative treatment is initiated with the application of a long leg cast.

Sarmiento cast A Sarmiento or patella tendon bearing cast or PTB is usually applied as the last stage of treatment for tibia fractures. Teaching videos. Reduction techniques Positioning The surgeon is seated on a low chair.

Correction of length Illustration shows manual traction at the ankle to correct length. Correction of angulation The two Illustrations show correction of varus or valgus deformity, and AP angulation, by manipulation.

Correction of rotation Rotation is usually corrected by palpation of the tibial crest, or with the help of an imaginary alignment of the middle of the second toe, the centre of the ankle, and the tibial tubercle. Application of a long leg cast Short leg section of the cast First apply the short leg section of the cast up to the mid patella.

Mold the plaster as it sets. Smooth the cast along the entire anteromedial border of the tibia. Thigh portion of the cast When the cast has set, the knee is extended until 5 to 10 degrees short of full extension. Proximally the cast extends to one third of the femur. Molding of the epicondyles Mold the cast above the medial and lateral epicondyles. Trim the ends of the cast, reinforce the foot, and apply a walking heel if preferred. Aftercare long leg cast Mobilize the patient as early as possible.

This kind of fracture occurs at the top of the tibia, often when too much pressure is applied to the side of the knee, creating a bending force. For example, when a young child gets their leg trapped underneath their body, while going down a slide or sledding. Toddler fractures typically occur in children under the age of 4. This type of fracture often happens because the leg twists while the child is stumbling or falling. Toddler fractures occur near the middle of the tibia and can be difficult to see on an x-ray.

Tibial tubercle fractures typically occur during adolescence. The tibial tubercle is a bony bump on the upper part of the shin where the quadricep muscle is attached to the bone by the patellar tendon. A tibial tubercle fracture is a break or crack at this location.

Until the bone becomes stronger, a strong tug by the tendon can cause this part of the bone to break. This fracture typically occurs when trying to jump to dunk a basketball ball or do a flip.

What are the symptoms of a broken tibia-fibula? Generally, a tibia-fibula fracture is associated with: pain or swelling in the lower leg inability to stand or walk — this is less likely if only the fibula is broken limited range of motion in the knee or ankle area bruising or discoloration of the skin around the break What causes a broken tibia-fibula?

Other imaging tests that can reveal damage to muscles, ligaments, or blood vessels around the bone include: magnetic resonance imaging MRI computed tomography scan CT, CAT scan bone scan How is a broken tibia-fibula treated? Reduction A reduction is a non-operative procedure that is usually performed in the emergency department. What kind of cast is used for a broken tibia or tibia-fibula?

What kind of cast is used for a broken fibula? When is surgery necessary for a broken tibia-fibula? Your child may need surgery if they have a more complicated or severe fracture. How long does it take for a broken tibia-fibula to recover?

Patient Resources Our experts in Orthopedic Urgent Care have created a series of helpful guides describing the different types of leg fractures, treatments, and how to care for them.

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