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Tibia Fracture Discharge Instructions


About this topic


Your lower leg has two bones in it. The fibula is the smaller bone on the outside of the leg. The tibia is the larger bone on the inside of the leg. It supports your weight. A tibia fracture happens when the tibia bone breaks. The tibia is the most common long bone fracture in the body. ‚  


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What care is needed at home?


  • Ask your doctor what you need to do when you go home. Make sure you ask questions if you do not understand what the doctor says. This way you will know what you need to do.
  • Rest. Allow your injury to heal before you do slow movements.
  • Place an ice pack or a bag of frozen peas wrapped in a towel over the painful part. Never put ice right on the skin. Do not leave the ice on more than 10 to 15 minutes at a time.
  • Prop your leg on pillows to help with swelling.
  • Cast or splint to keep your knee straight
  • Crutches or walker to take pressure off your injured leg. Your doctor may tell you not to put any weight at all or only some weight on your broken leg. Be sure to follow these instructions so your leg can heal.
  • Exercises

What follow-up care is needed?


Your doctor may ask you to make visits to the office to check on your progress. Be sure to keep these visits. Your doctor may send you to physical therapy once your cast is no longer needed. ‚  

What drugs may be needed?


The doctor may order drugs to: ‚  
  • Help with pain and swelling
  • Fight an infection

Will physical activity be limited?


Bones take 6 to 8 weeks to heal. You will need to keep your knee in a cast or splint for that time. When the cast or splint is no longer needed, it may take a few more months of rehab before you can go back to your normal activities. ‚  

What problems could happen?


  • Sharp bone pieces from the injury may cut or tear nearby muscles, nerves, or blood vessels
  • Too much swelling could lead to other problems
  • Bone infection

What can be done to prevent this health problem?


  • Always wear a seat belt. Drive safely. Obey speed limits. Do not drink and drive.
  • Stay active and work out to keep your muscles strong and flexible.
  • Warm up slowly and stretch before you work out. Use good ways to train, such as slowly adding to how far you run. Do not work out if you are overly tired. Take extra care if working out in cold weather.
  • Keep a healthy weight so there is not extra stress on your joints. Eat a healthy diet with calcium and vitamin D to keep your bones healthy.
  • Wear the right equipment when playing sports.

When do I need to call the doctor?


  • Sudden shortness of breath or a sudden onset of chest pain, more pain or swelling in your leg, pain in the calf. These could be signs of a blood clot. Go to the ER right away.
  • Signs of a very bad reaction. These include wheezing; chest tightness; fever; itching; bad cough; blue skin color; seizures; or swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat. Go to the ER right away.
  • Signs of infection. These include a fever of 100.4 ‚ °F (38 ‚ °C) or higher, chills, or wound that will not heal.
  • Pain or swelling gets worse
  • Health problem is not better or you are feeling worse

Teach Back: Helping You Understand


The Teach Back Method helps you understand the information we are giving you. The idea is simple. After talking with the staff, tell them in your own words what you were just told. This helps to make sure the staff has covered each thing clearly. It also helps to explain things that may have been a bit confusing. Before going home, make sure you are able to do these: ‚  
  • I can tell you about my fracture.
  • I can tell you how I will care for my injured area.
  • I can tell you what I will do if I have signs of bad blood flow or nerve damage.

Where can I learn more?


American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons ‚  
http://orthoinfo.aaos.org/topic.cfm?topic=A00522 ‚  

Consumer Information Use and Disclaimer


This information is not specific medical advice and does not replace information you receive from your health care provider. This is only a brief summary of general information. It does NOT include all information about conditions, illnesses, injuries, tests, procedures, treatments, therapies, discharge instructions or life-style choices that may apply to you. You must talk with your health care provider for complete information about your health and treatment options. This information should not be used to decide whether or not to accept your health care providers advice, instructions or recommendations. Only your health care provider has the knowledge and training to provide advice that is right for you. ‚  

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