Anyone broken their Tibia?

[quik_d]

Hi all,

my GF got knocked off her bike on Tuesday and broke her Tibia which is a bugger, she's in a cast and back home now. I was wondering who else has this happen and how long did it take to recover, and any tips to help her?

She has a full leg cast for 4 weeks, then apparently moves onto a half leg cast with a moon boot, going to be the longest 4 weeks ever lol Such a shame as we were looking forward to going away in summer on the bikes.

[paiste]

Not broken mine, but work in trauma orthopaedic theatres. The positive to take from this is that she didn't require any surgical intervention, meaning that the alignment of the fracture must be good. Usually about 6-8 weeks before casts are off. Healing time though is very much an individual. Does she smoke? If so now would be a good time to stop as smoking really delays the calcification and healing if the bone. Did she break fibula too?
Anyway I would think touring in the summer won't be out I'd the question.
GWS!!

[Berlin]

Didn't break my Tibia but did break my fibula and dislocated my ankle.

I'm sorry to say it took me over 4/5 years to get back to anything near normal, but mine was right down at the bottom and now has a plate and 9 screws in it. A clean break to the middle of the tibia shouldn't be anywhere near as bad.

It make however take a while to get back to full muscle strength.

Good luck to here!

C

[Bluepete]

Yes, broke my right one flying a power kite. It was in plaster for 12 weeks 'cos I did a real number on it. Did the fibula as well.

My tip would be take care of your other leg. Don't overdo it, I ended up with a knackered left Achilles tendon from being pig headed and doing too much. Still gives me gyp a decade later.

I managed to get a barstool and fitted castors on it so I could get from the kitchen with coffee etc and not spill it lurching around on crutches.

GWS

Pete ;)

[Berlin]

My tip would be take care of your other leg. Don't overdo it, I ended up with a knackered left Achilles tendon from being pig headed and doing too much. Still gives me gyp a decade later.


A big +1 to that!!

I ended up hopping everywhere and not using my crutches and damaged my hip. 8 years later I can still feel it.!

[svrich]

Did mine the summer just gone. I had to have surgery as it was a complicated break (cheers rugby training). two weeks after the surgery I got a DVT in the calf resulting in a clot on my right lung. Make sure she keeps the leg up as much as possible and keep a very close eye on any additional swelling and discomfort (difficult from under a cast but if anything feels wrong get t checked out). I only went back to work just before Christmas and it's still very stiff and weak compared to the other one.
Good luck with a swift recovery.

[Mrs DJ Fridge]

My friend who is really into riding horses, she should try a safer sport, has broken both legs at different times, one one year, one the next. I do not know which bones she broke in either case, but her advice really was if you want to get up and about ASAP follow EXACTLY what he doctors say, do not try to be clever, they know much more than you do.

[chrisinflight]

Wish your GF a speedy recovery. In the mean time if you are a bit handy you need to make one of these.........

http://www.youtube.com/watch?NR=1&feature=endscreen&v=rNjd9BFh-7Y

[Scythe92]

I broke mine 2 years ago. As I didn't know what a break felt like, I thought it was a bad sprain so I stood on it and made it worse, not to self NEVER DO THAT AGAIN.

Rode my 125 back home with my right leg hanging out in pain as I had no other way to get it home, was only about 1 mile down a straight road so not too bad.

6 weeks after the cast I could barely walk, but what was the first thing I did after I got back from the hospital? Opened my garage door and got the 125 out!

I just took it easy-ish and didn't let it affect me. Going to parties etc in crutches was a laugh though, there's even a photo of my somewhere drinking on crutches! Once she adjusts to crutches and hopping up and down stairs at home, she'll probably be fine

[pencil shavings]

I broke mine nearly a year ago and it's still ruined :( my ligaments are the problem now, just taking forever to heal.

[BBadger]

i did mine a few years ago after being flipped through the air a few time. helps that i was only 18 at the time. but it was about 6-8 weeks for me and crutches were a godsend as it ment i could still hobble about the place and not kill the other leg in the process.

Dw she should be fine for the summer as long as she keeps off it and does the exorcizes shes told to do.

[shonadoll]

I broke mine nearly a year ago and it's still ruined :( my ligaments are the problem now, just taking forever to heal.


Glucosamine with chondroitin can really help with ligament damage.

[Bluepete]

Glucosamine with chondroitin can really help with ligament damage.

Now, don't shoot the messenger, but my sister in law, who is a genuine, bone a fide doctor, tells me that glucosamine has no medicinal value in the treatment of ligament and bone injuries. It's a myth perpetuated by the health supplement companies. That's why it's classed as a supplement, not a medicine.

A good healthy diet is more important.

Pete ;)

[shonadoll]

It really helped me. I work in a vets, and a lot of our vets really rate it with dogs coming off long term painkillers due to it. Apparently it helps attract water to the ligaments during their repair. It's made a huge difference to me after two knee surgeries and it's not expensive.

I'm now off long term tramadol which my doctor was happy to keep prescribing, I know what I prefer.

[Bluepete]

It really helped me. I work in a vets, and a lot of our vets really rate it with dogs coming off long term painkillers due to it. Apparently it helps attract water to the ligaments during their repair. It's made a huge difference to me after two knee surgeries and it's not expensive.

I'm now off long term tramadol which my doctor was happy to keep prescribing, I know what I prefer.


Placebo effect?

[pencil shavings]

Hi guys,

I havent been told about this supliment before, I will ask my physio tomorrow when I see him.

I have been told that I should try running on it now but when I do it hurts. And I dont mean hurts like a good hurt or a lack of use hurt, it hurts like my body telling me to stop doing it. Ive played rugby as a youth and semi pro football so I know the different types of hurt and it just doesnt feel right. Should I listen to me or my physio? Im at a bit of a loss what to do now as it has been so long :(

[shonadoll]

Placebo effect?
I'm sure that could be part of it, but rather that than the doc giving me more opiates;)