broken tibia and fibula recovery time adults

#Broken tibia and fibula recovery time adults skin

Surgery for a Tibia and Fibula FractureĪll open fractures will require surgery. Oblique fractures are typically unstable and can shorten.

Usually, spiral and transverse fractures are stable enough for a cast. When a fracture is stable, a recommendation of casting without any surgical procedure is usually the best option. Non-Surgery Can a Broken Tibia and Fibula Heal Without Surgery? An MRI will show the integrity of the ligaments, muscles, or any other soft tissue structures involved in the injury. A CT scan will give a more in-depth image of the bone. Sometimes, stress fractures may not show up on an X-ray, and another form of imaging would be warranted. To confirm a fracture of the tibia and fibula, an X-ray is the first line of diagnostics and is usually sufficient to diagnose a fracture. Other symptoms include extreme tenderness, swelling, numbness due to artery or nerve damage, and bruising. With a tibial fracture, it’s highly unlikely the individual will be able to bear weight. If the fibula is only fractured, depending on severity, walking may be tolerable but likely very painful if it’s at the ankle level. Often there is a deformity present in the limb or a wound where the bone protrudes through the skin.

Those with tibia and fibula fractures have severe pain at the location of the injury. Elderly individuals with osteoporosis can easily suffer fractures with falls or other mishaps. Others are non-contact forces on the ankle, such as severe inversion (foot rolling in). Some include trauma from a high fall, contact sports, or vehicle accidents. Several causes can attribute to tibia and fibula fractures. Of the two bones, a fracture is more common in the tibia. Comminuted: Fracture breaking into 3 or more pieces.Spiral: A fracture that resembles a spiral encircling the bone like stripes on a candy cane.Transverse: The fracture line is horizontal.All open fractures require surgery whereas casting may be recommended for a closed fracture.

#Broken tibia and fibula recovery time adults skin

Closed fractures occur when the bone breaks, but the skin remains intact. Open fractures occur when the bone penetrates through the skin or if a wound is formed and the bone is visible. The two main categories of fractures are open and closed. The severity of a broken or fractured tibia is dependent upon what category of fracture that the injury belongs to.

Image of a Man with a Fractured Tibia How Serious is a Broken Tibia and Fibula?