The shinbone, otherwise known as the tibia, is one of the most commonly fractured long bones in the body. It, along with the fibula, help to make up the bones in your lower leg. You tibia can break in a number of different ways depending on how and how much force is exerted on the area. If you have questions about shinbone fractures and the treatment options available, contact Atlanta foot and ankle surgeon, Dr. Lance Silverman today!
Types of Tibial Fractures
Here’s a look at some of the different types of tibial fractures:
- Stable fractures – This occurs when the tibia is broken but the fracture is just barely out of place. The bones have a high likelihood of healing as they should in a stable position.
- Unstable fractures – Unstable or displaced fractures occur when the broken fragments shift and do not line up. Surgery is generally needed to get the bones back in the correct place so the bones re-stabilize when healing occurs.
- Transverse fracture – This occurs when the fracture occurs along a horizontal line. Oftentimes this is an unstable fracture and occurs in conjunction with a fibula fracture.
- Oblique fracture – This type of tibial fracture involves an angled and often unstable fracture pattern. These fractures need to be carefully monitored, as they can become unstable.
- Spiral fracture – This type of fracture occurs when a twisting force causes the fracture. The fracture pattern resembles a spiral staircase and can be either stable or unstable.
- Comminuted fracture – Comminuted fractures are a result of the tibia breaking into three or more pieces.
- Open fracture – An open fracture occurs when the bone in question breaks through the skin. This is often the result of a high energy trauma.
Symptoms of tibia fractures include:
- Pain
- Difficulty walking or bearing weight
- Visible deformity of the leg
- Loss of sensation or numbness
- Swelling
Treatment and Recovery For Tibial Fractures
An X-ray, MRI or CT scan will help diagnose what type of tibial fracture you are dealing with. An accompanying treatment plan will be based on your specific situation, but we’ll run through some general conservative and surgical treatment plans.
Nonsurgical treatment of tibia fractures include casting or other non-weight bearing devices for the first few weeks, along with medications to manage pain and discomfort. Once weight bearing is tolerable, you might be transitioned to a partial weight bearing device along with physical therapy. Imaging tests will be taken throughout recovery to ensure the bone is healing as it should. Tibial fractures can take anywhere from 2-6 months to heal depending on your age, health and type of tibial fracture.
Atlanta Foot Fracture Surgeon
If surgery is needed, your doctor will walk you through the specifics of your operation. Hardware may need to be inserted in order to ensure that the bone heals in a stable position. Similar to conservative care, imaging is performed throughout recovery to ensure the bones are healing in the correct location. Recovery from tibial surgery takes anywhere from 3-6 months. After surgery, most patients will receive a recovery plan similar to those patients who went the conservative care route, with limited weight bearing, pain relievers and physical therapy.