How long does a compound fracture of the tibia and fibula take to heal?

Recovery from a tibia-fibula fracture typically takes about three to six months. Your child may be able to heal faster by resting and not putting too much weight on their leg until the bone has healed.

What is a compound fracture of the tibia and fibula?

A traumatic accident like a fall or car crash can break your leg or other bones in your body. If a broken bone pierces your skin, it’s called a compound fracture. You’ll need surgery to realign your bones and then a cast to keep them immobilized.

How long does a compound tibia fracture take to heal?

What is the recovery process for a tibia fracture? Recovery time for a tibia fracture typically takes 4-6 months to heal completely. If the fracture is open or comminuted, healing time may take longer. Your doctor will often prescribe medications for pain-relief for a short period of time after the injury or surgery.

What is a compound tibia fracture?

Comminuted fracture: In this type of fracture, the bone breaks into three or more pieces. Open fracture: If a bone breaks in such a way that bone fragments stick out through the skin or a wound penetrates down to the broken bone, the fracture is called an open or compound fracture.

How long is physical therapy for a compound fracture?

NON WEIGHT BEARING PERIOD OF PHYSICAL THERAPY This contributes to the prolonged healing time and requires a period of about 6 weeks where no weight is put on that leg. Depending on the severity of the break and the complexity of the surgery that time could be even longer.

What is the difference between a compound fracture and an open fracture?

A simple fracture, or closed fracture, cracks the bone but does not break the skin. A compound fracture, or open fracture, breaks the bone, and then the broken pieces of bone pierce the skin. Compound fractures are more serious than simple fractures.

Is a compound fracture serious?

Compound fractures are urgent situations because of the high risk of infection, tissue damage, and healing complications. All high-energy fractures, including compound fractures, are at risk for another serious associated condition called compartment syndrome.

How serious is a broken tibia and fibula?

Those with tibia and fibula fractures have severe pain at the location of the injury. Often there is a deformity present in the limb or a wound where the bone protrudes through the skin. If the fibula is only fractured, depending on severity, walking may be tolerable but likely very painful if it’s at the ankle level.

Is a compound fracture the same as an open fracture?

An open fracture, also called a compound fracture, is a fracture in which there is an open wound or break in the skin near the site of the broken bone.

What do you do if someone has a compound fracture?

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  1. Stop any bleeding. Apply pressure to the wound with a sterile bandage, a clean cloth or a clean piece of clothing.
  2. Immobilize the injured area. Don’t try to realign the bone or push a bone that’s sticking out back in.
  3. Apply ice packs to limit swelling and help relieve pain.
  4. Treat for shock.

Why is there severe pain with a compound fracture?

A compound fracture has either punctured the skin or exposed the bone, which means it’s extremely painful. Even without attempting to move the injured body part, you will feel persistent pain with a compound fracture. In addition, you may not be able to move the affected area.

How do you recover from a broken tibia and fibula?

If you fracture your tibia or fibula, you might need ORIF to bring your bones back into place and help them heal. During an “open reduction,” orthopedic surgeons reposition your bone pieces during surgery to put them back into their proper alignment.