Hello,
I had a right tibia fracture about 9 months ago close to the ankle. I had a fall on a slippery floor and the next thing I realised was that my foot hung to right with some blood coming under my leg. I had to be operated upon and a nail was put in. Attached along are X-Ray of the date of injury i.e. 17 June 19 and a recent one of 20 Feb 19.
After about 6 months doctor cleared me to walk with full weight bearing. As of now doctor says it takes about 12 months for the bone to heal completely.
I limp a bit while walking, my right thigh is thinner that the left one. Could you please advise me how to go about for a speedy recovery?
I am gathering that after you were cleared for full weight bearing, you did not start training at that time?
That would have been my approach for a speedy recovery, to be honest.
Doctor cleared me for full body weight bearing so I suppose not weight lifting. He also said that the bone hasn’t yet fully healed. Given how averse doctor might be to lifting, so I am hesitant to ask about it.
I did ask a physio friend, he said they generally clear a person to play sports only after two years from injury depending on the discretion of the orthopaedician. What do you suggest by looking at the X-Ray?
I cannot give you advice based on the x-ray appearance alone. I would argue that part of the reason the bone hasn’t healed may have to do with the fact that it has received little to no stimulus since your surgery, since it sounds like you have been fearful of activity.
If it were me, I would have started training (even with just bodyweight squats) once I was cleared for full weight bearing. If you’d like individualized advice for yourself, I’ll recommend a rehab consult: Contact Us | Barbell Medicine
Yes I have been fearful and shall think over it. Thank you!
I went through a similar injury in January 2007. This is a ski boot fracture from the day of injury and the 3 month post-op ORIF. It was closed spiral fracture of my right tibia. The fibula was fine. I was 30% weight bearing out of surgery. Weight bearing as tolerated at 12 weeks/3 months. I did the rehab myself (pre-physical therapy professional). During the first 12 weeks I spent my time with knee and ankle range motion, standing weight shifts on a scale to the 30% and weight room activity for all parts I was able to perform. At 12 weeks I was working on walking, body weight squats and balance. When I was capable of symmetrical weight bearing I began barbell training. I was cleared at 6 months for full activity and able to dunk a basketball. At 9 months I did my first USAW meets
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