Slowly increase weight bearing as pain allows.Knee bending activity getting the quadriceps restored.Change of full leg cast often to below-knee cast.Non-weight bearing and walking with crutches.Always check with your doctor or physiotherapist before attempting any rehabilitation. The following is an example of a tibia fracture rehab program and is a guide only. Below is a rehabilitation framework that will give patients a rough guide. The key to a good outcome is to start rehabilitation as early as possible, but have expert advice to guide you through the stages of rehabilitation with these fractures, rehabilitation plays at least 50% part of the recovery process. All of these fractures will take a full year before a return to full activity and the more complex types will never return to contact sports. In the early stages, progress is made with walking and lower leg muscle & joint exercises. Long-term outcomes are improved with appropriate early rehabilitation and guidance. Early regular movement of any kind is encouraged. Sitting in the early phase is unavoidable due to the restrictions of movement but it creates deconditioning of the musculoskeletal system. Weight-bearing exercises encourage bone growth (callus formation) and speed the fracture healing rate. Early RehabilitationĮarly physiotherapy is essential to prevent muscle atrophy (wasting away).Īctive muscle re-education from day one aims to minimize loss, encouraging tone, increase blood flow and reduce swelling and stiffness. If post-operative healing or rehab is poor then this may result in permanent disability. Things can get more complicated if the fracture affects other parts of the leg, like the ankle or knee. Tibia Fracture Recoveryįull recovery from a tibia fracture can take a year or possibly more. These patients will rarely return to contact sports. Ankle and knee outcomes are a concern, as the patient often experiences long-term problems and restrictions due to the complexity of the fractures. Long-term impairment can be an issue without appropriate advice.įracture healing will take longer and can often be an issue for up to six months whilst the patient is still on crutches. The knee and ankle are the important concerns and early physiotherapy will help to address the mobility of these joints. ![]() You should expect a long recovery of up to 18 months. Your surgeon will operate to repair your leg and ensure the best possible outcome. Multiple, comminuted, compound (breaks the skin) and those involving fractures through the ankle joint or the tibial plateau, which is the bit at the top of the bone just below the knee will often need more intensive treatment. These are similar to moderate fractures but tend to be more serious or complicated. You will need regular hospital check-ups and further surgery later to remove the metalwork. The long-term aim of treatment is to reduce the effects of potential arthritis of the ankle or knee due to the injury.Īll surgical procedures have their risks and the most common is an infection. With both these types of procedures, the knee and ankle will become weak and stiff and long-term outcomes often depend on how the patient mobilizes these joints from an early stage. Physiotherapy is essential from the start to reduce the deterioration of muscle tone, aid mobility, and lessen the stiffness around the ankle and knee. The IM nail will be removed after 3-6 months or sometimes longer. ![]() Once the fracture is healed the metalwork is removed.
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