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. The top part of the tibia where the shinbone meets your thigh bone is the tibial plateau. It is part of the knee joint. It is covered with cartilage to help the knee joint glide. It is also a place where muscles and ligaments attach. Ligaments are strong bands of tissue that connect bone to bone and help keep your knee stable. A tibial plateau fracture happens when the top of the tibia bone breaks. Since there are so many different tissues that are in and around the knee joint, you often have soft tissue injuries with this bone break. ‚
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What are the causes?
- A direct blow to the lower leg like from a car crash or fall
- Repeat impact activities such as distance running
- Problems that weaken the bone like cancer or infection
What can make this more likely to happen?
- Playing contact sports
- Older age
- A health problem where your bones become weak called osteoporosis
- Health problems such as high blood sugar (diabetes) or cancer in the bones
What are the main signs?
- Pain
- Bruising or swelling
- Trouble bending your knee
- Lower leg looks deformed
- Bone bulging under or through the skin
- Not able to stand on the leg and walk
- Pale foot that is cold to the touch (damage to blood vessels)
- Numbness in the foot
How does the doctor diagnose this health problem?
Your doctor will feel around your knee and leg. Your doctor may also have you move your leg in certain ways to check your motion and strength. Your doctor may also check your pulse in your foot and feel if there is any numbness in the leg or foot. The doctor may order: ‚
How does the doctor treat this health problem?
The doctor will look at a few things to decide if you need surgery: ‚
- Type of break
- Overall health
- Your age
- How active you are
- How much other damage has been done
There are two types of surgery to fix a bone break: ‚
- Using rods, nails, plates, wires, pins, or screws to put the bone back together. This is called internal fixation.
- Using a metal frame outside the skin. The frame is attached to plates and screws above and below the break. This is called external fixation.
If other soft tissue is damaged, it may be fixed during the surgery. ‚
Whether or not you have surgery, the doctor may suggest: ‚
- Rest
- Ice
- Keeping the leg raised
- Cast, splint, or brace
- Crutches or walker to take the pressure off your injured leg
- Exercises
- Physical therapy (PT)
What drugs may be needed?
The doctor may order drugs to: ‚
- Help with pain and swelling
- Fight an infection
What problems could happen?
With this injury, you are more likely to get arthritis in the injured knee. ‚
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.
Where can I learn more?
American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons ‚
http://orthoinfo.aaos.org/topic.cfm?topic=A00393 ‚
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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Copyright ‚ © 2015 Clinical Drug Information, LLC and Lexi-Comp, Inc. ‚