What Is a Tibia Fracture?

Tibial fractures include tibial shaft fractures and tibial plateau fractures. A tibial plateau fracture is one of the most common fractures in knee trauma. Fractures of the tibiofibular shaft account for about 9.45% of systemic fractures. Children under 10 are particularly common.

Basic Information

English name: fracture of tibia
Visiting department: orthopedics
Multiple groups: Children under 10
Common locations: Tibia

Common causes: Heavy object strike, kick injury, impact injury or wheel rolling injury, fall from height, spin violent sprain or slip, etc.
Common symptoms: Swelling of calf, pain, deformity, abnormal movement, swelling and pain of knee joint, movement disorder, hemorrhage in joint

Causes of tibia fractures

Direct violence

It is common to hit with heavy objects, kick injuries, bump injuries, or wheel injuries. Violence comes from the outer front side of the calf. The fracture line is mostly transverse or short oblique. Major violent or traffic accident injuries are mostly comminuted fractures. Because the front of the tibia is located under the skin, the fractured end may penetrate the skin greatly, and the muscle is more likely to be bruised.

2. Indirect violence

Fractures caused by falling from height, sprained by violent sprain, or slipping are characterized by fracture lines that are mostly oblique or spiral.

Clinical manifestations of tibial fractures

Fracture of tibia shaft

Swelling and pain in the calf can be deformed and abnormal movement.

2. Tibial plateau fracture

The knee joint was swollen and painful, and the movement disorder was caused by intra-articular hemorrhage due to intra-articular fractures.

Tibial fracture examination

X-rays are helpful in the diagnosis of fractures and fracture types.

Diagnosis of tibia fracture

After the injury, local pain and swelling quickly, the calf did not dare to bear weight, can be diagnosed as a calf fracture. If you see angulation deformity or bone friction signs and abnormal activities, you can confirm the diagnosis. It is not difficult to get a diagnosis based on clinical manifestations and related X-ray examinations.

Complications of tibial fractures

Osteofascial compartment syndrome: fractures of the calf or soft tissue damage to muscles, hematomas, reactive edema, and increased pressure in the fascial space can cause blood circulation disorders and form osteofascial compartment syndrome. The incidence of anterior tibial space syndrome is highest.

Tibia Fracture Treatment

The overlap, angle and rotational displacement of the fracture end should be completely corrected to avoid affecting the weight-bearing function of the lower leg and the occurrence of joint strain. Non-displacement fractures can only be fixed with splints until the fracture heals. Stable fractures with displacement can be repaired manually and splint fixed. Unstable fractures can be repaired manually, splint fixation, and cooperate with calcaneal traction. Open fractures should be thoroughly debrided, and the fractures should be repaired at the same time. The calcaneal traction is used to maintain the fracture alignment, and the splint is fixed after the wound heals. Old fractures can be repaired by manipulating bone fractures, splints, or traction. With osteofascial compartment syndrome, deep fascia should be opened and decompressed thoroughly.

Plaster fixation

The fracture surface contact was stable without lateral displacement or after rehabilitation. Transverse fractures without lateral displacement, short oblique fractures, etc., were manually reset under anesthesia and external fixation of long leg plaster. The knee joint should be kept in a slightly flexed position at about 15 ° when the plaster is fixed.

2. Bone traction

An oblique, spiral or mildly comminuted unstable fracture cannot be maintained in good alignment by external fixation alone. The calcaneus can be punctured under local anesthesia and fixed with a spiral traction frame.

3. Open reset internal fixation

Tibial and fibula fractures generally have a long bony healing period, and long-term plaster external fixation will inevitably affect the function of the knee and ankle joints. Currently, open reduction internal fixation is increasing.

4. Surgical treatment.