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The length of time it takes to recover from a tibial plateau fracture depends on the severity of the fracture and your overall health. Most fractures take 4 months to completely heal. In more severe cases, it can take up to 6 months. It’s important to strictly follow your doctor’s instructions to ensure that the bone heals properly.
What are the long term prognosis of tibial plateau fractures?
Patients with tibial plateau fractures will be instructed to touch down (toe touch or foot flat) weight bear (approximately 10% of body weight) for at least 6 weeks. After the 6 week post op visit, patients may begin weight bearing as tolerated until full weight bearing is achieved.
When to begin weight-bearing after tibial plateau fracture?
Tibial Plateau Fracture Recovery
- Pain Management It is obvious to feel pain after your surgery or injury, but you can certainly take steps to manage it better. ...
- Early Motion Your doctor will confirm when you should start putting pressure on your leg and get moving again. ...
- Weight Bearing Do not start putting weight on your leg before consulting your doctor. ...
- Rehabilitation
How can a tibial plateau fracture be treated?
How long does it take to bend your knee after tibial plateau surgery? It usually takes 6-12 weeks for the bones to heal and for the structure of the knee to be stable enough to start putting weight through the leg. How long does it take for a tibia fracture to heal? Recovery from a tibia-fibula fracture typically takes about three to six months.
How long is recovery from tibia surgery?
Is a tibial plateau fracture serious?
Tibial plateau fractures affect the knee alignment, joint, stability and movement. Thus, fractures of the tibial plateau are considered quite serious as this upper surface of the bone contains structures which are critical to the knee functioning.
How do you treat a tibial plateau fracture?
Tibial Plateau Fracture Care The most common non-surgical treatment is a short leg, non-weightbearing cast or a hinged knee brace, combined with physical therapy and rest. Fractures that have shifted require surgery.
How long does it take for a fracture of the tibial plateau to heal?
Non-displaced tibial plateau fractures take up to 3-4 months without surgery to heal. When surgery is required these cases take around 4 months to heal.
What happens if you walk on a tibial plateau fracture?
A hairline tibial plateau fracture will heal even if you put weight on it but a displaced (where the broken bone has moved) tibial plateau fracture will need surgery and rest to heal properly.
Do you need surgery for tibial plateau fracture?
Most non-displaced fractures of the tibial plateau can be treated without surgery, but they usually require an extended period (up to three months) of protection from walking. If displacement occurs, surgery may be needed to realign the bone fragments and hold them in position.
Can I bend my knee with a tibial plateau fracture?
2:304:14What does surgery and rehab of a tibial plateau fracture entail?YouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipSo you have to use crutches. And get around without putting any weight on that leg. But usually weMoreSo you have to use crutches. And get around without putting any weight on that leg. But usually we allow the knee to bend right away for one thing the knee gets really stiff really quickly if you keep
How do you get a tibial plateau fracture?
Tibial plateau fractures are typically due to some type of trauma. For example, these injuries are common in high-impact sports, like football, or those with a high risk of collision, such as skiing. You could also fracture your tibial plateau by falling from a height or during motor vehicle accidents.
How do you sleep with a tibial plateau fracture?
Invest in a specialized pillow, like a body pillow, for elevation—keeping the broken bone above your heart prevents blood from pooling and causing swelling. Try sleeping on your back first while propped up on a few pillows. If that doesn't work, slowly adjust yourself to a side position if possible.
Why is a tibial plateau fracture so painful?
Tibial plateau fractures injure the joint surface cartilage. The injured knee joint can develop arthritis. The symptoms include pain with use, stiffness, swelling, and inability to tolerate exercise, stairs, or running.
How long are you on crutches with a broken tibia?
It takes around 6 to 8 weeks for a minor fracture to heal. You'll probably need to use crutches or a wheelchair during this time, until it's possible to put weight on the leg again. You'll be shown how to safely use any mobility equipment you're provided with.
How common is a tibial plateau fracture?
Tibial plateau fractures comprise 1% of all fractures. The incidence of tibial plateau fractures is 10.3 per 100,000 people annually[2].
What kind of brace is used for a tibial plateau fracture?
Cast bracing can be effective in all types of tibial plateau fractures treated primarily or after open reduction, although medial plateau and subcondylar fractures may have an increased incidence of loss of position.
Why is a tibial plateau fracture so painful?
Tibial plateau fractures injure the joint surface cartilage. The injured knee joint can develop arthritis. The symptoms include pain with use, stiffness, swelling, and inability to tolerate exercise, stairs, or running.
Can you walk on a fractured tibia?
Can you still walk with a fractured tibia? In most cases, the answer is no. Walking after a tibia fracture can make your injury worse and may cause further damage to the surrounding muscles, ligaments and skin. Walking on a fractured tibia is also likely to be extremely painful.
What kind of brace is used for a tibial plateau fracture?
Cast bracing can be effective in all types of tibial plateau fractures treated primarily or after open reduction, although medial plateau and subcondylar fractures may have an increased incidence of loss of position.
How do you sleep with a tibial plateau fracture?
Invest in a specialized pillow, like a body pillow, for elevation—keeping the broken bone above your heart prevents blood from pooling and causing swelling. Try sleeping on your back first while propped up on a few pillows. If that doesn't work, slowly adjust yourself to a side position if possible.
Where does a tibial plateau fracture occur?
A tibial plateau fracture occurs at the top of your shin and prevents you from being able to place weight on your leg.
What is plateau fracture?
Overview. A tibial plateau fracture refers to a break or crack in the top of the shin bone, at the knee. It involves the cartilage surface of the knee joint. This joint helps supports your body weight, and when it is fractured, it is unable to absorb shock. If you experience a tibial plateau fracture, you may be prevented from putting weight onto ...
How many classifications are there for tibial plateau fractures?
Medical professionals provide six classifications for tibial plateau fractures to properly diagnose the injury and provide treatment options. Developed by Joseph Schatzker, MD, the system classifies the fractures into the following types:
What causes pain in the upper part of the shin?
Other risk factors include osteoporosis, infection, or mineral deficiency that weakens bones and makes them more susceptible to injury. If you experience pain or discomfort in or around the upper part of your shin from impact, it may be a sign of a tibial plateau fracture.
Where is the break in a tibial plateau?
With tibial plateau fractures, there is a break at the top of the shin bone where the bone meets the knee joint, so there is often accompanying ligament and muscle tears, too.
What type of fracture is Schatzker?
Schatzker Type I: wedge-shaped pure cleavage fracture, with a depression or displacement of less than 4 millimeters
How long does it take to recover from a knee fracture?
Recovery time varies depending on the severity of the injury and treatment method but usually lasts around three to six months.
How to treat tibial plateau fracture?
In patients without displacement of the fracture or the cartilage, there is a role for nonsurgical management . In situations where the bone or cartilage is not well aligned, surgical treatment is more often considered. 1
Where is the tibial plateau?
A tibial plateau fracture occurs at the top of the shin bone and involves the cartilage surface of the knee joint. Because these fractures occur around the knee joint, they must be treated differently than tibial shaft fractures .
How long does it take to recover from a tibial plateau fracture?
Recovery from a tibial plateau fracture can take several months. Because the cartilage surface of the joint is involved, the knee must be protected from weight until the fracture has healed. 5
Why is surgery delayed in fractures?
Surgery is almost always performed when there is an open fracture (bone penetrating the skin), whereas severe swelling may be a reason to delay surgery in fractures where the skin is intact but the soft-tissues are severely damaged. 2
How long does it take to heal a nondisplaced fracture?
Most non-displaced fractures of the tibial plateau can be treated without surgery, but they usually require an extended period (up to three months) of protection from walking.
How long can you put weight on a knee fracture?
5 . Most commonly patients will be allowed to move the knee joint, but not put weight on the leg for about three months.
How to treat fractured bone?
If the bones are lined up well, this procedure may be treated with small incisions using an X-ray to line up the bones. 4 If there is more displacement of the fragments of bone, a larger incision will be needed to piece together the fragments. ...
What is plateau fracture?
A tibial plateau fracture is an injury in which you break your bone and injure the cartilage that covers the top end of your tibia (bottom part of your knee). The break can range from a single crack in your bone to shattering into many pieces. This fracture typically happens after a fall or a motor vehicle accident.
What is the plateau of the tibia?
The tibial plateau is the flat top portion of your tibia bone, which runs from your knee to your ankle. The bottom end of your thigh bone (femur) and the top end of your tibia form your knee joint. The tibial plateau is a relatively flat surface of bone covered in cartilage. This is a very smooth, low-friction surface, designed to allow your knee joint to bend and straighten. There are two menisci, or shock absorbers made of cartilage, that sit between your tibia and the femur. These are commonly injured in sports activities.
How to know if you broke your tibial plateau?
After you break your tibial plateau it will be very painful, and you will most likely not be able to walk on it. You will likely need to go to an emergency room because of the pain. In the emergency room you will get x-rays as well as a CT scan. Depending on how bad the break is, you may be able to go home or you may be admitted to the hospital. Often, you will be put into a brace or a splint. Either way you will not be able to walk or put weight on the leg.
What are the red arrows on a tibial plateau?
Figure 3: An example of a patient with a tibial plateau fracture. The red arrows point to the broken areas of the bone.
How long does it take for a broken leg to heal?
This is to keep the bones from moving as you heal. Depending on your injury, this will last 6 to 12 weeks. You may need to use crutches, a walker and/or a wheelchair. A knee immobilizer or hinged knee brace may be used to provide support for your leg. You will be instructed to work on gentle motion of your knee, ankle, and hip. This is to prevent stiffness and also to help your cartilage to heal. Your surgeon will let you know how much you should bend your knee. You may be prescribed physical therapy to help with motion and strength. It is important to follow up with your surgeon to make sure your bones are healing well and that your motion is good.
Where is the blood vessel in the knee?
There is a large blood vessel that runs behind your knee. The main nerves that supply your leg and foot are also found in the back of your knee, and two of them wrap around the outside of your knee. Figure 1: Skeleton model showing the knee joint. Figure 2: X-rays of the knee.
Where to cut a broken bone in the knee?
Depending on how your bones are broken, these cuts may be on the front of your knee, the side of your knee, or both. There is rarely a need to make an incision on the back of the knee. Plates, screws, and pins may be used to hold the bones in place.
What is a tibial plateau fracture?
A tibial plateau fracture is a break to the upper surface of the tibia (shin bone). The tibial plateau is prone to becoming fractured in high-speed accidents such as those associated with skiing, horse riding, and certain water sports.
What is a nondisplaced fracture?
A non-displaced fracture is when the tibia sustains a break or crack without a fragment of the bone becoming separated.
How many different classifications of fractures are there?
In surgical terms, there are 6 different classifications, depending on the severity and the nature of the injury. However, broadly speaking fractures can be separated into two main groupings: Displaced and Non-displaced fractures.
Is a fracture of the tibial plateau serious?
Fractures of the tibial plateau are considered quite serious. The upper surface of the tibia bone contains structures which are critical to the knees functioning. In particular, cartilage meniscus and the cruciate ligaments are essential for a stable knee. Hence, fractures of the tibial plateau are often associated with injuries to ...
Can a tibial plateau fracture be diagnosed?
Once your tibial plateau fracture has been diagnosed a number of treatment options are available depending on the extent of the damage.
What is a tibial plateau fracture?
It is a serious type of knee injury that can affect all types of men and women athletes.
What does a fracture of the medial tibial plateau mean?
Fractures of the medial tibial plateau can sometimes signify a knee dislocation that has spontaneously reduced.
What are the complications of tibial plateau fracture?
Several complications are associated with the nonoperative and operative treatment of tibial plateau fractures. With both methods, nonunion (failure to heal, or unite) of the fracture can occur. Articular (cartilage) injury to the knee joint occurring during the trauma itself can lead to post-traumatic arthritis of the joint. Arthrofibrosis (stiffness) of the joint can occur if range of motion exercises are not instituted early enough after the injury. Infection can also occur post-operatively, particularly if surgery is done through compromised soft tissues. Deep venous thrombosis (blood clots in the leg and thigh veins) can occur secondary to the trauma or prolonged immobilization. Residual swelling of the limb can occur in the post-operative limb and is more commonly associated with high-energy fractures. Finally, unrecognized menisci or ligamentous injuries associated with the fracture can cause significant morbidity.
What is the principle of tibial plateau?
Initially, sports injury treatment using the P.R.I.C.E. principle – Protection, Rest, Icing, Compression, Elevation can be applied to a tibial plateau fracture. Nondisplaced fractures of the tibial plateau can often be treated non-operatively with a period of non-weight bearing with a hinged knee brace. Any period of limb immobilization should be kept brief as knee stiffness must be avoided. The knee is commonly locked in full extension for 1-2 weeks with the amount of flexion gradually increasing with time.
What are the injuries associated with tibial plateau fractures?
Injuries to other structures about the knee are commonly associated with tibial plateau fractures. Meniscus tears as well as injuries to the articular cartilage commonly occur in the setting of tibial plateau fractures. Fractures of the lateral tibial plateau have a rare, but possible association with nerve (peroneal) and arterial injuries. Fractures of the medial tibial plateau can sometimes signify a knee dislocation that has spontaneously reduced. High energy tibial plateau fractures, particularly those that extend into the diaphysis, or shaft, can also be associated with compartment syndrome, which is a potentially limb threatening condition caused by increased pressure within the leg.
How to fix a fractured knee?
The first is external fixation . External fixation involves placing metal pins or wires into the tibia and possibly the femur that are then connected externally to the body to allow distraction and reduction of the fracture. Temporary external fixation is considered the treatment of choice for high-energy fractures with a compromised soft tissue envelope (deep wounds or bruising to the tissue around the fracture). External fixation can also be considered for definitive treatment although the knee joint is often immobilized which can lead to stiffness. There is also a variant of external fixation referred to as the Ilizarov or hybrid fixator technique that can be used and does not involve the knee joint.
What is the mechanism of a car bumper fracture?
The second mechanism is by a pure axial, or compressive force (such as a fall from height).
Why do tibial plateau fractures occur?
Tibial plateau fractures do not occur frequently. These fractures are typically caused by high energy trauma, but they can also occur due low energy trauma (e.g. slip and fall). Physical therapy is very important, but depends on the patient and cause ofthe fracture.
How many types of fractures are there in the tibial plateau?
The fractures are classified according to the Schatzker classification system. It divides tibial plateau fractures into six types:
What is type 1 fracture?
A type I fracture is a wedge-shaped pure cleavage fracture of the lateral tibial plateau, with a displacement or depression less than 4mm. They are caused by the lateral femoral condyle being driven into the articular surface of the tibial plateau.
Why is Schatzker valued fracture worse?
It has been reported that higher Schatzker valued fracture produce poorer outcomes due to the extent of trauma along with soft tissue damage is likely.
How to manage fractures?
In some more complex cases, fractures can be managed by external fixation followed by further ORIF at a later time.
Where is the proximal end of the tibia located?
The proximal end of the tibia terminates in a broad, flat region called the tibial plateau. The intercondylar eminence runs down the midline of the plateau, separating the medial and lateral condyles of the tibia. The two condyles form a flat, broad surface for articulation with medial and lateral condyles of the femur.
Is there a gold standard for predicting soft tissue injury in tibial plateau fractures?
There has yet to be a gold standard for accurately predicting the presence of soft tissue injuries in tibial plateau fractures. However, there have been recent studies that have employed preoperative magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or operative arthroscopy to evaluate the extent of tissue damage.
What is a split fracture of the medial and lateral tibial plateau?
Consists of a split fracture of the medial and lateral tibial plateau, which is usually the result of a high-energy injury acting upon the tibial plateau. Most commonly, this injury can include injury to the anterior cruciate ligament and collateral ligaments and exists in 3% of all tibial plateau fractures.
What is medial tibial plateau fracture?
In a medial tibial plateau fracture, a split or depressed component occurs , which is usually the result of a high energy injury and involves a strong force loading at the knee. Occurring in 10% of all tibial plateau fractures, this type has a high risk of damage to the the popliteal artery and peroneal nerve.
How many types of tibial plateau fractures are there?
There are six known types of tibial plateau fractures. The severity of the break is directly related to the intensity of the energy impact to the bone. Schatzker classification for tibial plateau fracture: Type I = Lateral Tibial plateau fracture without depression.
What is a wedge fracture?
In this type of a fracture, a wedge-shaped pure cleavage fracture and involves a vertical break of the lateral tibial plateau, usually the result of a low energy injury in young sports athletes. This type of injury represents 6% of all tibial plateau fractures.
How is a fracture determined?
The pattern of a fracture is determined by the force of the injury, in addition to how and where that force is applied to the limb. Forces can come from direct impact (dashboard); vertical impact (fall); bending (falls, sports and vehicular injuries); or some combination of such forces.
Why do young people get fractures?
Young people experience these fractures often as a result of a high-energy injury, such as a fall from considerable height, sports-related trauma, and motor vehicle accidents. Older persons with poorer quality bone often require only low-energy injury (fall from a standing position) to create these fractures.
What is the cause of a fracture in the tibia?
A fracture, or break, in the upper part of the shinbone ( tibia) may result from a low-energy injury, such as a fall from a height, or from a high-energy injury, such as a motor vehicle accident. Proper identification and management of these injuries will help to restore limb function ( strength, motion, and stability) and reduce the risk ...
What is the classification of a fractured tibia?
Doctors often classify tibia fractures into the following categories: The broken ends of the tibia line up correctly and stay in place during the healing process. The fracture is horizontal, and the bone can become unstable if the fibula is also broken. The tibia is moved out of place when it breaks.
What causes a tibia fracture?
Twisting motions, such as pivoting: Sports such as snowboarding, skiing, and contact sports are a common cause of this type of injury. Some health conditions may also affect your tibia fracture. These include type 2 diabetes and pre-existing bone conditions such as osteoarthritis.
How long does it take for a fractured tibia to heal?
Some shaft fractures of the tibia take as little as four months to heal, with more extreme cases taking a minimum of six months to heal. Your overall health and the extent of your fracture will influence your recovery time.
What is the name of the bone that is the largest in the lower leg?
The tibia , or shinbone, is the larger of the two bones in the lower leg. It’s one of the most commonly fractured bones in the body. Symptoms of a fracture in your tibia can range from bruising to intense pain in your lower leg, based on the extent of your injury. To diagnose this type of injury, your doctor will do a physical exam ...
How long does it take to recover from a tibia fracture?
Tibia fractures are painful and common. Recovery rarely requires more than 12 months. If you suspect you have a tibia fracture, schedule an appointment with your doctor right away to get it evaluated, or go to an emergency room. Last medically reviewed on November 7, 2016.
What is the bone in the lower leg called?
swelling around the site of your injury. bruising and blueness on your injured leg. When the tibia is fractured, the other bone in the lower leg, called the fibula, is often affected as well.
How to tell if you have a fractured leg?
Your symptoms will vary depending on how bad the fracture is. Symptoms may include: intense pain in your lower leg. difficulty walking, running, or kicking . numbness or tingling in your foot. inability to bear weight on your injured leg. deformity in your lower leg, knee, shin, or ankle area.
What is plateau fracture?
There are many types of plateau fractures. These involve the outer (lateral) side, inner (medial) side or both sides (bi-condylar) of the plateau. If the surface is depressed or the sides of the bone are cracked, the plateau can no longer support the femur. This is made even worse if there is a ligament injury associated with the fracture. The unstable knee will be painful, unstable, swollen and often grossly deformed after the injury. The fracture can be detected by checking the medial and lateral stability of the knee, getting plain X-rays and performing CT scans. When there is instability during the exam or the fracture is significantly depressed (pushed down into the bone), it should be surgically repaired to preserve knee function.
What happens if you walk on a plateau?
If the plateau is injured and the fracture is depressed, the femur will “fall” into the defect, and the knee will be unstable in the direction of the fracture. Walking on the fracture will worsen the condition. Once the plateau is fractured, the patient should be braced or splinted and placed on crutches.
How long does it take for a fractured knee to be weight bearing?
He or she may not fully weight-bear for at least 6 to 12 weeks post-operatively, depending on the nature of the fracture, depth of the defect, amount of bone graft used and the surgeon’s assessment of the quality of the bone fixation.
Basic Anatomy
Mechanism and Epidemiology
- A tibial plateau fracture is an injury in which you break your bone and injure the cartilage that covers the top end of your tibia (bottom part of your knee). The break can range from a single crack in your bone to shattering into many pieces. This fracture typically happens after a fall or a motor vehicle accident. High energy injuries like these ...
Initial Treatment
- After you break your tibial plateau it will be very painful, and you will most likely not be able to walk on it. You will likely need to go to an emergency room because of the pain. In the emergency room you will get x-rays as well as a CT scan. Depending on how bad the break is, you may be able to go home or you may be admitted to the hospital. Often, you will be put into a brace or a splint. Eithe…
General Treatment
- Depending on where the break is and how well it is lined up, tibial plateau fractures may be treated with or without surgery. Your surgeon will discuss this with you and give you options for treatment. If your fracture can be treated without surgery, you may be kept in a brace or a splint for a period of time. Generally, you will not be allowed to put weight on your leg for 6 to 12 week…
Post-Operative Care
- You will not be able to bear weight on your leg for weeks after breaking your bone. That means no walking on or pushing off of your broken leg. This is to keep the bones from moving as you heal. Depending on your injury, this will last 6 to 12 weeks. You may need to use crutches, a walker and/or a wheelchair. A knee immobilizer or hinged knee brace may be used to provide support fo…
Long Term
- Tibial plateau fractures injure the joint surface cartilage. The injured knee joint can develop arthritis. The symptoms include pain with use, stiffness, swelling, and inability to tolerate exercise, stairs, or running. Some patients have bad enough arthritis that they have a knee replacement to help improve their pain and function. Stiffness and some weakness is very common. Physical th…
Clinical significance
Symptoms
- There is normally a recent history of trauma to the knee area followed by swelling and pain in the joint. The patient may complain of the stiffness of the knee and be unable to weight bear on the injured leg.
Treatment
- Rest and apply cold therapy or ice and compression to help reduce pain and swelling. Seek medical assistance immediately. Physical therapy rehabilitation exercises are needed to maintain leg strength soon after injury and should be continued throughout the recovery phase.
Diagnosis
- In order to correctly diagnose a fracture, an X-ray must be performed. If soft tissue (ligaments, cartilage etc) damage is suspected an MRI scan may also be advised. Once the tibial plateau fracture has been diagnosed a number of treatment options are available depending on the extent of the damage.
Classification
- In surgical terms, there are 6 different classifications of tibial plateau fractures, depending on the severity and the nature of the injury. However, broadly speaking fractures of the tibial plateau can be separated into two main groupings: Displaced and Non-displaced fractures.
Prognosis
- Recovery following surgery may take a number of months and will require the patient not to weight bear for a long period of time. If soft tissue injuries have been sustained this recovery process may take longer.