The tibia, or shinbone, is the most commonly fractured long bone in the body. A tibial shaft fracture occurs along the length of the bone, below the knee and above the ankle. It typically takes a major force to cause this type of broken leg.
Here is a typical example of a tibia injury and treatment:
A high school football player fell while running patterns at a game. The player had sustained a twisting injury to his lower left leg. He came to see the orthopedic surgeon and it was revealed he had a tibia fracture.
The player was initially placed in a long leg cast. Surgery was eventually performed with insertion of a nail and locking screws. He returned for regular follow-up and healed successfully. At the time of his latest follow-up visit, 9 months following the tibia fracture surgery, he has exjoyed excellent results including a healed distal tibia fracture that is in good alignment, no pain, and a return to football at the high school.
Every situation is different, but children and/or young adults heal relatively fast. In general, recovery for a tibia fracture takes about 3-6 months while stress fractures usually take 6-8 weeks. The healing time can be quicker by taking the right steps.
If you suffer injury of the tibia and want to seek the best orthopedic care in El Paso, contact Ortho El Paso at 915-249-4000 for an appointment.
