Tibia Bone Fracture: Symptoms, Treatment, and Recovery

The tibia bone lies in the lower part of the leg, just above the ankle. It’s one of two bones that make up the lower leg and the longest bone in the body after the femur (thigh bone). Tibial fractures are common injuries, with more than 150,000 cases reported annually in the United States alone. They can be caused by trauma, falls or medical conditions such as osteoporosis, but often go unnoticed until you notice swelling and pain in your shin area.

Causes of Tibia fracture

Tibia fractures may be caused by a fall on one's knee or by severe twisting of that knee. A person suffering from osteoporosis (weak bones), is at greater risk of developing a tibia fracture. 

Age is another important factor in determining how likely a person is to suffer from tibia fracture. 

In younger people, tibia fractures are usually caused by accidents or sports injuries; as people age however, these fractures tend to occur more due to degenerative bone diseases like osteoporosis. 

Tibia fracture may also be an effect of chronic abuse of alcohol and drugs which weakens a person's bones.

 Intense physical activity can also cause overuse injury in some people who don't rest their muscles properly after workouts or overdo things without proper guidance from trainers.

Signs and Symptoms of Broken Tibia

Tibia bone fractures aren’t particularly common, but they can be very painful. When you break your tibia bone, you might experience throbbing or dull pain in your lower leg or knee. You might also feel a sudden jolt of pain at impact or notice your foot or ankle visibly twisting out of place. 

Signs and symptoms of broken Tibia bone will depend on how severe your fracture is; someone with a minor tibial plateau fracture may not experience intense symptoms while someone with multiple injuries could have more intense pain that requires immediate medical attention.

How is broken tibia treated?

When a tibia is broken, treatment will vary depending on whether or not surgery is required. If surgery is needed to repair a broken tibia, then your surgeon will need to use pins or screws to hold your bones in place while they heal. Healing time can be as short as three weeks if only one bone was damaged or it can take several months if multiple bones were impacted. To maximize healing time after a surgery for a tibial fracture your surgeon may recommend you stay off your feet for several weeks so that weight isn't put on your leg during recovery.

Complete recovery time after a broken tibia

Although there are many factors that can impact a person’s recovery time after a broken tibia (like age, weight, overall health), it typically takes three to six weeks before you’re back on your feet. That said, you shouldn’t be running around and playing sports after only two to three weeks.

 A full recovery should take at least one month. During this time, you can gradually return to your normal activities using an assistive device—such as crutches—if necessary. Ask your doctor when it is safe for you to return to work and other physical activities.