Broken Tibia Guide

A broken tibia, which is sometimes referred to simply as the shinbone, is actually the most common fracture of a long bone in the human body. Breaks and fractures to this part of the skeleton almost invariably stem from impact collisions, and the consequences can range from major to minor, with varying levels of recovery time involved.

What is the Difference Between a Tibia and a Fibula?

The tibia and fibula are similar bones found in the human leg, which means that a fractured fibula can feel very similar to a tibia hairline fracture. The two bones are found parallel in the skeleton at an almost equal length, but while the tibia is also referred to as the shinbone due to its location, the fibula stretches above and below the tibia. Perhaps most importantly, the fibula is not a load-bearing bone, so it should not be at immediate risk of fracture.

What are the Symptoms of a Broken Tibia?

Common tibia fracture symptoms include a great deal of pain in the shin, trouble walking due to the bone feeling unable to carry body weight (though just because you can walk in such circumstances, it doesn’t mean you should – doing so may aggravate the injury), a protruding bone that is visible to the naked eye, or in some cases a loss of all sensation in the food below the injured tibia. If you experience any of these symptoms, consult a healthcare professional for further testing.

What are the Most Common Causes of a Broken Tibia?

Broken tibia injuries are almost always a result of a high-impact collision. This could occur during an automobile accident for example, or most commonly, through sporting activity. Many people suffer tibial shaft fractures while skiing, snowboarding or skateboarding for example, and it’s also a regular complaint of football players that experience a great impact on the shin by opponents making a tackle. Children and the elderly may also experience this injury through falling or tripping.

How Long Does it Take to Recover from a Broken Tibia?

The standard tibia fracture healing time for a tibial shaft fracture is around four to five months, during which time a cast will be placed around the shin. A tibia hairline fracture may not take as long, or require a cast. Naturally, you will be able to steadily gain more and more mobility during this time. Physical therapy, however, will be critical during your cracked tibia recovery. Get in touch with Medical Expert today to find out if you qualify for free, private physical therapy as a result of your injury.

Why is Physio So Important to This Injury?

Physiotherapy may speed up the healing process of your tibial shaft fracture or tibia hairline fracture, and will also help prevent any future issues with the shinbone. If the injury is left in a cast and mobility is reduced, there is a risk that the surrounding area will atrophy. This is why Medical Expert should be the first call you make when given the go-ahead to start exercising your injury; we will be able to check what entitlement you have to free physical therapy, as well as anything else that may assist during your tibia fracture healing time.

Contact Us to Find Out if You Qualify for Free Private Treatment

Allow us to reiterate one final time – Medical Expert is here to help you during this difficult period! Nobody knows just how much a leg injury can impact upon their quality of life until it happens, and we have a wealth of information at our disposal that will enable you to bounce back and make a full recovery. Whether this takes the shape of free, private physiotherapy, healthcare supplies or anything else that you may need, calling 020 3870 4868 and speaking to one of our friendly and helpful team members will be the best decision anybody with a broken tibia can make.