Sports Injury Info

Question - Healing Time (tibia fracture - surgical)

by Hunny Wadhwani
(Mumbai, India)

Hi, I am Hunny from Mumbai, India. I am of 27 years of age. I met with an accident on 27th May 08 evening and suffered a fracture in my right leg (below knee and above ankle). It was a single compund tibia (fracture).

A surgery was done on 28th May 08 and a rod was planted in my leg. On very next day I was advised to start doing some exercises (bending knee, moving foot up n down, lifting leg up etc.). After 6 days of my surgery I started walking on crutches and am putting a load of 5-10 kg on my operated leg.

I have swelling in my below ankle area (foot) and feel stiffness in my leg during night times. I just want to learn that how much time it will take for my leg bone to regenerate (join) and in how much time I will be able to walk on single crutch and in how much time I will be able to put full load on my leg.

Also suggest, is elbow crutches are recommended.

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Question - Healing Time (tibia fracture - surgical)

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Jun 14, 2008
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starstarstarstarstar 		Perhaps 6-8 Weeks
by: Bart - SII

Hi Hunny - Sorry to hear about your accident.

Most fractures heal in about 6 weeks - this is the standard time frame that is known for bone healing - because you have a rod in your tibia, you are able to place some weight on your leg sooner.

I would think that you should be progressing to a single crutch in the next 3-4 weeks, and be able to walk without any assistive device in 6-8 weeks.

Your doctor will take X-rays to make sure the bone is healing, and then let you progress your weight bearing as appropriate.

As far as the type of crutches - whatever is most comfortable for you is the best choice to use.

Please comment back if you have other questions and to update us on your progress!
Jul 26, 2008
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starstarstarstarstar 		Similar injury - questions
by: Joe Goode

Hi Hunny,
Sorry to hear about your accident. How are you now? Can you walk unaided?

Last Friday, 18th July, I was playing football and someone did a very rash,late tackle on me breaking my tibia near the ankle. I had surgery the next morning to place a nail down the length of the shin bone. Since then i've been keeping my weight off it. I still have pain at the fracture area, and when I stand on crutches the throbbing gets worse.
Did you suffer similar symptoms?

Secondly, have you got any advice on how to deal with the first few weeks after surgery? Any food to recommend to speed up the bone healing process etc?

I look forward to hearing from you.

Joe Goode (London)

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