A Tibial Plateau fracture is really not much fun, but it helps if you are prepared and in many cases doctors will not prepare you properly for daily life after your injury. If I had to give you only one piece of Advice on Tibial Plateau eracture recovery it would be: be patient. And in the end, it’s not as bad as it looks.
Below is a more elaborate list of time-tested knowledge and information on different subjects related to your Tibial Plateau fracture. There are also separate sections for the different stages of recovery (from the menu above choose “1-8 weeks” etc.)
*Note: this website is not intended to provide medical advice. Your doctor is a much better source for medical advice. This information is based on firsh-hand personal experience and research*
What to expect – overview
You will be leaving the hospital on crutches, usually with a hinged brace. For the first few weeks you will experience quite a few different uncomfortable symptoms but these all pass quickly. Natural symptoms include limited range of motion in your leg (in the knee and ankle joints) as well as pain, heat flashes, edema and stiffness Some of these will be caused by the fact that you are not completely mobile. Things will progress from here until in the end you are (in most cases) completely able to do your everyday activities, but it will take some time and hard work.
Time to recovery
Recovery from a Tibial Plateau fracture is different from person to person. It depends very much on the exact type and specifics of injury, your age, prior issues, level of physical activity, physiotherapy, nutrition and many other factors. Given all of these differences it is still quite safe to say that for most people, if you the injury was treated by surgery, you will still be in some kind of recovery for a complete year after your injury¹. In most cases it will be more than that, Improvement showing up to three years after. This sounds like a lot, and it is, but I can assure you that it does get better and that for most people after a few months your the injury will not prevent you from continuing with you daily life and you will be able to do all your daily activities to some extent including walking short distances, going out, meeting with friends, going to work etc.
Weight Bearing
For a period of about 6-8 weeks after the surgery you will be NWB (non-wait-baring), this means that you can not put any pressure on your knee and leg and will need to use a wheelchair, crutches or both. For some injuries it might take up to 12 weeks until allowed FWB(Full weight bearing). Depending on your doctor and your specific health condition you will be moving from NWB to PWB (Partial Weight bearing) or FWBAT (Full weight bearing as tolerated). This period of NWB will cause many mobility concerns and will affect your daily routine.
Mobility
You will be spending a few days in a hospital bed then progressing to a wheel chair and crutches, which you will be using for about 2 months, possibly followed by a single crutch and walking stick (see paragraph above – “weight bearing”). It could be up to 3 months on crutches, and up to 6 still using a walking stick (but usually much less). Also expect that initially you won’t be able to bend your knee much for a few weeks. This is called limited ROM (range-of-motion). Crutches are hard to use at first, and may be painful on the hands and shoulder, but don’t worry you will get used to them very quickly. And as a bonus you will develop very strong arm muscles. In some cases, overuse and pressure on your hands can cause secondary injuries to your wrists, arms or shoulders. If you are in pain from using crutches take it easy and use a wheelchair for a short while. You should also consider testing different types of crutches. Forearm crutches are usually more comfortable (then underarm) and come in ergonomic varieties. Today many advanced crutches also support ergonomic designs, anti-slip, and special features (link, link). Underarm crutches are usually safer then regular forearm crutches (link), but tend to be less comfortable, and don’t come with as many smart designs. Platform crutches might be good for people with a poor grip, but I haven’t tried them myself. Some crutches will also have shock absorbers to help your wrists and arms absorb shock (link).
All this will require that you prepare for a period of partial mobility. Things you might be limited in doing include – walking up and down stairs, house jobs (cleaning, cooking, washing), carrying things from place to place (no free hands when using crutches), reaching high and low cabinets, showering. At first, you might also have trouble getting dressed and undressed but this will pass quickly. The best way to deal with this is have friends, partners & family help you with everyday chores and prepare the house as much as possible to make things easier. A few things you could do are:
- Get a shower chair so that you are able to shower without bearing weight (link) and possibly also invest in some big bags or drycast or other cast covers (link) so that you can shower without taking your brace or cast off during the first few weeks.
- Be very careful when using crutches in a wet surface because you could easily slip. Even more dangerous is if the crutches are wet and the floor is not. Make sure to dry the bottom of your crutches on a towel before leaving the shower.
- If your crutches are very old and the tips are cracked, replace the tips with new rubber tips. The come very cheaply (link)
- Use a gripper (link) to be able to reach those unreachable cabinets and to be able to grasp and retrieve items you would not be able to otherwise while on a wheel chair (link).
- Make sure that someone prepares food and goes shopping for you. Other options include ordering in prepared food and ordering groceries online.
- If your bed is on the second floor, Consider sleeping in a different room if you find it hard to get up the stairs. You can also climb stairs with crutches, or sitting down.
- High and low cabinets are are hard to reach. Try moving things around so that they are easier to reach. Doors on low cabinets can also be unhinged to allow for easier access with a wheel chair. They can easily be put back on later.
- More useful ideas can be found in the “logistics” section and “Tips & Tricks“
Physiotherapy
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Physiotherapy is going to be a regular part of your life. The are several goals: increase ROM, increase muscle-mass, teach your musculoskeletal system to operate as before and increase your stability. It is very very important that you start physiotherapy as early as possible and keep at it until you are completely better. This is the one factor that will affect your recovery more then any other and it is completely up to you. I’ve written a complete section on physiotherapy alone. Usually you will be given exercises to perform from your physiotherapist. At the very beginning you will probably not be able to bend or straighten your knee at all. This can be quite frightening but don’t be alarmed. Initially exercises will aim to teach your neurological system to control the leg again. It might even only be hours before you will start to be able to bend your leg, or it could be a few days. After this, during the NWB (not in all cases) period you will be performing gentle exercises to enhance your ROM, strengthen your muscles and reduce stiffness, sometimes using stretch bands(link). Exercises might be done at home or in a medical center. It is very important that during this stage you follow PT instructions and do the exercises as soon as possible and as much as possible. This will reduce stiffness, boost recovery and give you a better chance at developing good ROM. When you progress to WB, physiotherapy will include many exercises with weights and machinery with the aim of gaining stability and muscle and to exercise everyday activities like walking. I can not emphasize enough how important it is that you keep at it (even if it means you go to work less). To be able to do physiotherapy at home you can consider purchasing light ankle weights(link). For more info and tips, have a look at the physiotherapy section.
Medical professional
Several medical professionals will be involved in your recovery process, including the radiologists, the OS (“operating surgeon”), Physiotherapist and sometimes others. You will be having regular checkups with them. It is very important that you make sure your OS is a good one, and that you consult with him on every question you have. Be curious and ask everything you want to know. Sometimes doctors will not be generous with information, make sure that you get your answers. You deserve them. Seek extra information in sites like this one (more sites in the further reading section). In many cases the PT and the OS will be discussing your condition either directly or passing notes through you. Make sure that they talk if they are not already talking, but remember that when they give contradicting advice – the opinion of the OS is always the one to go by. You might also want to consider getting a second opinion both before or after your surgery.
Diet
Bone healing requires quite a lot of nutritional help, especially during the first 3 months(This is when the bone is healing), so make sure to eat well, and consider supplementation. For your healing to progress well you need to make sure that you get a lot of Calories, Protein, Antioxidants and minerals. During the first few weeks of healing your body will consume about 2-3(!) times as many calories as normal. This is about 6000 calories per day, so no need to feel bad if you’re eating a lot and very hungry. It’s all going to healing.
Protein is an Important nutritional ingredient. By volume, roughly half of your bone is comprised of protein, and you will also need to get a lot of it to reduce muscle atrophy as much as possible. If you think you are not getting enough protein consider using protein powder to supplement your daily protein intake (link), or adding protein rich food to your diet (meat, eggs, milk products, nuts & seeds).
Minerals are very important for several reasons. By weight bone is about 70% minerals. These are the building blocks of your bones. The high need for minerals will mean you might no be getting enough of them, which can cause other problems. If you are depleted in magnesium for example this may cause muscle cramps which are not much fun during a Tibial Plateau fracture. Consider using a multi-vitamin(link) containing minerals during the recovery process just to be sure. Studies have shown a lower rate of complications in healing in people taking multi-vitamins (link). The most important minerals to consume are Zinc, Copper, Calcium and Silicon.
Vitamins are the catalysts for the process of healing and are also in high need during recovery. Vitamins that play an important role in bone healing include: Vitamin C, Vitamin K, the Vitamin B-series. Be sure to eat a varied diet and Consider using a multi-vitamin for Vitamins and minerals (link).
Anti-Infalmmatory Nutrients help reduce inflammation and pain. Bone creates a lot of inflammation which causes pain. Unfortunately it is not advisable to take NSAID (Non Steroidal anti-inflammatory Drugs) during the bone recovery process as these slow recovery. Natural Anti inflammatory agents that may work to reduce pain include Vitmain C, Omega-3 (link) and others.
There are many foods you should avoid. Some foods will interrupt normal absorption of nutrients and their consumption should be limited. Some of these are:
- Salt or foods prepared with lots of salt
- More than one cup of coffee or other caffeine beverages. If possible, avoid coffee altogether.
- Sugar
- Chocolate (because to caffeine content)
- Soft drinks and carbonated beverages
- Alcohol (it inhibits calcium absorption)
- Caffeine (it increases rate of calcium loss and inhibits absorption)
Pain
Pain is an unpleasant but normal part of recovery. You will be experiencing different types of pain and discomfort throughout your recovery. Pain might be felt in different parts of the leg, and won’t neccesarily concentrate only around the knee. Most pain comes during the first few days and weeks after the surgery. Pain management is an important part of your recovery and you should not be in constant pain. You should use pain medication as advised by your OS or hospital medical staff. If you are unable to use the medication prescribed by your doctor or are more comfortable using a different type of pain medication remember that some types of painkillers should not be taken for long periods of time(read the label!), and that you should never take NSAID as pain-killer while the bone is still healing. These types of medications will postpone healing. Brands included in the NSAID group which you should not use include Aspirin, Motrin, Ibufen, diclofenac, naproxen and others. Don’t use these. Instead use what is recommended by your medical staff or another medication that is not a NSAID. In some case, mostly in the first days you might experience more severe pain that can be treated with stronger drugs. This is normal, but if you experience abnormally strong pain or other abnormal symptoms, get yourself evacuated to a medical center as this is usually nothing but could be a sign of a complication. Make that in the first few weeks you have a bottle or box of painkillers in your pocket so that it’s always handy. Remember – liquid pain medication usually act faster then the tablet equivalent of the same brand.
Staying at home/Mental Health
You might be staying at home a lot and will be quite immobile for a while. This can get affect your mood very much and can at some point get depressing, especially if you are used to being very active. There is no magic pill for this, choose a good book, and a good TV series and try to regularly talk to as many friends, family and close people as possible. The proximity of friends and close ones is very important. You might also want to find a community of people who have suffered from Tibial Plateau fracture before who share your experiences and feelings. There are several such communities, and some of them they can be in the further reading section of this website. Also, try to do as much exercise as you possibly can. Even if this means exercising while sitting or lying down. This can give real boost to your mood. Another good Idea is to start watching a new TV-show you’ve never had time to watch, or subscribe to online video providers like netflix or amazon prime (link). If in need, consult a psychologist or mental health professional. It is quite normal to be affected by a prolonged period of immobility and recovery, and a psychologist will be able to help with this.
Physical Activity
You will eventually probably be able to do anything you were able to do before your injury. However, this might take a long time (1 or more year for some sports) and you might have to be careful when doing extreme sports. There is a limited amount of things that you may not be able to do exactly as before, for example some yoga postures will not be possible with limited ROM, but you can always work around these limitations by doing things slightly differently. Also, you might experience some pain which will be limiting. If you want to take up a fitness activity shortly after the injury bicycling and swimming are both good options which will also help with recovery. Upper body weight training might also be a good option but will not directly advance your recovery.
Work
You Might be dying to get back to work or could be in need for a vacation. Going back to work is something that very much depends on you and on your specific job and state of mind. Some people go back to work on crutches after 4 weeks (me, for example), while others might wait a whole 6 months. There is a good side to going back to work (aside from money) since you will be interacting with people all day long and will not be bored. The important thing to remember is that you must avoid overworking and stressing yourself out. When you go to work it is important that you leave enough time and mental energy to be able to do your physiotherapy as much as you need, to rest, to relax and to visit your medical professional. This will allow your body to recover. You might be tempted to sacrifice your physio for your career. Don’t do that. Your career will still be there when you recover, the condition of your leg is something you will be living with forever.
Sex
There is no physical limitation from having sex as soon as the initial pain has subsided, but this injury can affect your sex life, something which you will not find a lot of information about and your doctor might not tell you. Decreased mobility in one leg and one leg which is half the strength of the other can naturally affect sex. This gets better as your leg heals and strengthens, and you will need to ask your partner to be patient as you progress through the recovery process.
On a good note
Tibial plateau Recovery takes a long time but at the end of the process you are looking at excellent recovery and usually a fully functional life. Moreover, trying to find the good embedded in the bad, this injury can help you put things in perspective and appreciate all the things you have in life: friends, family, health, a loving spouse. It gives you an opportunity to stop and think about what matters most.
did anyone notice that they lose muscle in the quadriceps area. I am NWB for 5 weeks now and can only go 90 degrees with my knee I had a type 2 fracture that required a few screws and plate. I am having a very hard time straightening my knee and I am wondering if it will ever return straight again.
Very good information. Very accurate. Wish I had seen this 2 months ago. I’m 10 weeks post MVA suffered closed TPF and open femur fracture. 2 more weeks until FWB and nervous/excited about walking again (and learning how to!)
Carol,
U should check out the Facebook group tibial plateau fracture recovery group..its an amazing group of people all going thru the same thing..u will get a lot of answers and support.
Hi! I am a retail manager and the mother of two boys and my tibia plateau fracture has truly changed my world. I was hit by a small Suv 2/21/15 as I was walking in the parking lot to work. I don’t know for sure, but I believe the driver that hit me was texting and driving! I am 7 weeks post surgery and everything has been progressing with physical therapy. I am supposed to be partial weight Behring on 5/11/15. However, my knee has begun to feel stiff and painful. I imagine that more bone is coming in. Has anyone experienced latent pain like this. Also, I am nervous about walking being painful in the beginning. I would love to get some honest information about what to expect.
Thank you
Carol
Hi all.
I had my tibial plateau fracture around the 1st week of Dec. I had surgery with metal plate and 6 screws. I was in a car accident and lucky that I came out with just this fracture. I was in a rehab hospital for 3 wks and had OT and PT working on building strength and passive ROM of my rt. knee.
I was nab for three months which seemed like an eternity. I too had a strange rash starting around the plate and screws and spreading to other parts of my body. It itched like crazy. I used benadryl cream and ice packs to try to ease the discomfort. It lasted about two weeks and then gradually disappeared. No one seemed to know the cause and I haven’t had a reoccurrrence. I was so worried that it would it would badly affect my healing, but seems to have to have not caused any damage. This site has been a great help to me with others sharing their recovery and and offering information about their healing process. I had no clue about the severity of this fracture and how difficult recovery would be. I was nwb for 3 mo. and now use a walker when I go out, but can get around the house without it.
My family has been wonderful about helping me and I look forward to each day that I can become more independent. I find it difficult to have to ask for so much help. I try to stay positive and ask myself what is it I can learn from this experience, but I can easily to slip into depression. This group has been so helpful to me. I want to thank everyone for sharing their struggles and recovery because it helps to make me feel not so isolated. Best wishes to all.
8 weeks into TPF surg.4 weeks to possibly start weight bearing.considerable swelling of the foot by day’s end.when can I expect to see some relief with swelling feels like a tight glove.any suggestions thanx Paul
for the swelling put your leg higher than your body ,have to tried ice ? 20 mins icepack every 2 hrs is recommended
How to join.?
I’m in my 6th week of NWB. I’m getting around in a wheelchair but because my arm is broken as well I’m not able to wheel outside. I need to return to work in 4 more weeks and the doctor assured me that I would need to be NWB for a total of 10 weeks. I need to be able to drive in order to work. Has anyone been able to go immediately to driving and walking or is a cane needed?
Rae S, is it your right knee? That would make a huge difference with the driving. I don’t see how you can go to work until you are at least putting some weight on your leg.? I am 5 1/2 weeks since my accident. I did not have surgery. My TPF is not dislocated. I have a lateral fracture; but things have held in place and I have been babying it as directed. No weight on the left leg this whole time. I have my 6 week check up with OS for X-rays to see progress. At 3 week checkup/x-rays I was having the bone show signs of knitting back together. I’m taking a lot of supplements to speed and aid healing. You may want to check out a Facebook page called “Tibial Plateau Fracture Recovery” if you are on Facebook much at all?. There are over 900 members sharing info and asking questions, etc. You’ll have to inquire to be a member, but there are many people in your same situation and the emotional support is very welcome too. Best to you. Did you have surgery? And, wow the broken arm certainly complicates things as well it would seem. I’m so sorry. This truly sucks on many levels. I’m praying for a fantastic 6 week check up. Take care.
Yes- my right knee and left wrist are broken and unfortunately I’m left handed. I had my leg checked last week for the first time and the x-ray shows that the bone is knitting together. What supplements are you taking?
Rae S I think you are being too ambitious ,most people need a caneD for a while and as for driving it is not only the pressure you are able to use to brake but the angle of the pedals .I was given a wobble board to practice with .I don’t want to depress you and of course this is only my experience .
Just yesterday, April 25th,
My mother was buying vegetables by the road side when a two girls on a very fast scooty and bumped into her and crushed her Tibial Bone. At the age of 47, she wasn’t able to bear the pain and was screaming very, very loudly. We admitted her within an hour. The next day, (Today, April 26th) she was operated. We were told the operation went well and the rod is perfectly placed. But after the effect of Anasthesia was reduced on the leg, she is terribly in pain, Unstoppable pain since an hour now, They doctors gave her 2 injections of pain killers and one of Heavy Sleep, still, she is screaming and burning in pain, Vaguely I could understand that the pain is taking place in the entire leg. I know I should be patient and doctors tell me the pain will go away in 12 hours, but I’m very concerned. It’s an unbearable and it’s just the worst thing in the world to see one’s mother scream like that. She says the pain is double from the yesterday’s pain. As I have no knowledge whatsoever of how to make it okay, or at least bearable, I request everyone here to please help me out. I can’t see her like that. Please help. God will bless you.
Thank you so much
I would ask about compartment syndrome and also about a nerve block. My compartment syndrome pain was excruciating. However, the post-repair pain was very bad, too. A nerve block helped but the pain was intense for the first few days.
I think I have compartrmental pain syndrome ,in France it is called Algodystrophy or CPS .It needs tp be caught quickly by a doctor or physio thenif younare lucky as I was it is treated with sympathetic physio and drugs plus in my case a TENS pulse machine (this works for me but not everyone ) .Mine was clear to see leg swollen with a crocodile shiny skin UGGH Plus my knee could have been used to fry eggs .Pain on the scale of 9/10 .It is just about manageable now nearly a year later ,but I was going about my daily life 5 months after the fractures.
You may want to check out a Facebook page called “Tibial Plateau Fracture Recovery”. You can click the “join” tab and someone will admit you to the group. You need to fill out a small form on the Facebook page. Look for: “HOW TO JOIN THE GROUP” and read what you need to do. There are over 900 people all over the world that interact and ask questions, share experiences, etc. I am so sorry about your mother. I did not require surgery for my injury but MOST on the Facebook page have had surgery.
Thank you for your concern,
She is much better now and this page still continues to help us every single day!
I was operated on and they put a nerve block drip with a catheter and also gave me pain medication, I know this helped me a lot because they put it in right before surgery and left it in for three days. Once they took it out the pain was there still but tolerable with the pain pills. I cannot imagine what the pain would have been without the drip and just pain pills. Today is day nine and I only need one pain pill in the day and one at night. I am sure that the pain is getting better each day. The worst pain was day one, two, three, four, and five, then it gets better slowly but surely. Stay strong but see if they can place this type of catheter right away!
Hi- Thanks for the information. I had a freak accident on my enduro motorbike. I hit my left leg on a rut and fell off the bike. It shattered the Tibial. I had to wait just over 2 weeks before I could have a operation due to swallowing. I am going on for my three week after the operation, I am starting to get frustrated with the whole process, however I understand that the recovery period is time.
Welcome, Mark.
Your frustrations are just beginning but there is going to be a lot of personal growth ahead, too. Read as much as you can to help get your mind around what you have ahead of you. This website and forum has helped me tremendously.
I am sorry to hear about your accident ,it is always sad when you are doing something you enjoy and it turns bad .However this is one accident that can teach you patience because this is what you will need ! It can take up to 12 weeks before you are FWB so get in all the box sets you have never got around to watching and all the books you have been wanting to read because that is just the begining .Your physio will become your best friend in the months ahead .It is amazing to me that you can loose muscle strenght so quickly but it can take so long to regain it ,even after doing all the exercises known to man .Good luck
Hi, i also had an enduro motorbike accident on 28th December 2014. Completely shattered my TP and splinted my shin. 18 screws and 2 plates. 3 months NWB. Still PWB and can hobble around on one crutch for a short distance. It is very frustrating and puts alot of strain on my young family. Im fairly optomistic but being so active before and still having a fair bit of pain its hard not to get depressed about it. These sites though help alot. Recovery is slow but as most say it does improve. It cant come soon enough IMO.
Good luck everyone
In December 2014, I got hit by a car walking and of course have a tibial plateau fracture. Well, I had pain in different parts of my leg including my calf and ankle. I am only one month weight bearing and I am using a cane. During my non weight bearing from December to March, I was so bored, felt helpless, and at times felt frustrated but I had Netflix and Hulu to keep me company. Right now, walking can be very frustrating because I still have a ways to go before I go back to my normal self. Also, I am in physical therapy which is helpful because I learn different exercises. I still have a bit of difficulty going up and down stairs but I am practicing as well. I do a lot of walking outside as tolerated but it can be very exhausting too. The doctor told me this fracture is one the most difficult fracture and it takes time and she is absolutely right. I think this fracture hablve made me even more patient but I survive to tell my story.
yes that is the key and physical therapy as I am told:) Stay strong!
Hello fellow TPF’ers,
I am 3 weeks into my 6 week NWB (after 6 pins and a plate). I got my injury skiing – from a very inocuous fall on a green slope – I cannot believe that I did that as I am a pretty good skier and for such an innocuous fall in a nearly flat run to cause this is beyond belief!
The pain is now more under control but in a funny way it is getting harder -my medical team, family, friends and work have been amazing and I so grateful but I am so frustrated. It is taking soooo long and I feel as though I am constantly having to dig deep mentally. Reading everyone’s stories on here is a huge help. It gives me comfort that I am not alone and hope that things will get better.
Leanne – I am so pleased you mentioned your nickel allergy to the dr. Good luck to you and to everyone with their recovery.
May
May – I think it is normal to beat ourselves up about the awkward circumstances that led to our injuries. I keep thinking, “Really? All this from a slip on the ice?” But it is the awkwardness of a fall that does it I think. I slid until I hit dry pavement and then my knee locked and my body kept going. Freak accidents, but our minds want to go back and have a “do-over”.
I hope you are recovering well. Keep your chin up! 🙂
Leanne
Hi, I too got hurt skiing but I love the sport and my doctor says that if I follow orders and do as told I can be back to it in one year. I have just had surgery nine days ago and have a way to go, but I am grateful that it was not worse. I know that it will be difficult but all good things seem to take hard work and time…I hope you keep positive and know that you will only keep getting better if you do as the doctor orders. I love this web site too and hope more people keep in touch once they are fully recovered to give us hope:)
Hello fellow TPF friends,
I don’t have an exciting story; I wasn’t skiing in the Alps or snowboarding or skydiving. My brother had just passed away and I was getting ready to leave for his funeral visitation January 16th of this year and slipped on a small patch of ice in my driveway. I was taken by ambulance to the hospital as there was no way I was getting up. I knew it was broken; I heard the crunch. After I arrived at the hospital, they cut my slacks off of me and called the on call orthopedic surgeon who specializes in traumatic injuries. In 2 hours I was heading into surgery. He told me I would come out of surgery with either a plate or an external fixator. I told him I would take the plate and he laughed and said I had no choice in the matter. Thankfully, I remembered to tell him, as we were wheeling down, that I have a nickel allergy. Apparently that is a big deal and they ended up using titanium. I came out of surgery with a plate with 5 screws AND an external fixator with 4 pins. My surgeon said my TP looked like someone took a platter of peanut brittle and dropped it. The fibula was also fractured and the ligaments/tendons torn free. Lastly, my peroneal nerve was stretched and not functional. I was in the hospital for about 4 days and then was transferred to a rehab where I spent almost 2 months. My fixator was removed after about 6 weeks and I am just now at 3 months post injury partial weight bearing. I believe I am almost full weight bearing and we are talking about moving to crutches or a cane from the walker. I am glad not to be be hopping with the walker anymore as it has taken a toll on my hands and elbows. I only use the wheel chair if we are going out somewhere and the walking is too much.
I understand the frustration of helplessness this injury brings. I spend all day pretty much on the couch except for PT 3x/week. I am a teacher and just had to call in one day and never go back. That was tough for me as well as my students. I went from staying busy from sun up till sun down to being on couch arrest. At the worst when I was in the rehab, I would give myself a 5 minute pity party every day…usually first thing in the morning, and then I would try to focus on healing and moving forward. I have to say this really helped. I would cry for just a few minutes and pick myself up and move on.
I currently have a hinged brace that I have worn since the external fixator came off but have ordered a custom brace that should be in by the end of this week. Doc says I will wear it for a year or more. A long road but I am on my way.
Leanne, it sounds like you had a terrible time. I wish you the best in your recovery. I was only non wb for 6 weeks so I guess I was lucky, but it does take a long time to heel the soft tissue. I am a retired teacher, so I feel for you and your decision. Maybe you will get back at it some day.
My injury happened on 12/4/2014. I am still getting flare ups with a lot of pain. Doctor said no surgery. Just let it heal. Trying to be patient!
Hi Tisa
Seems to be taking a very long time. Have you had a second opinion?
I waited 4 months and there were no changes and was advised by my surgeon and another Dr to have surgery. I am now 6 weeks post surgery walking short distances without a crutch and weight bearing. I still have a swollen leg and knee and a lot of pain in my knee but at least I feel more independent.
Everyone around me is so impatient believes it’s a speedier recovery than it is which makes me feel quite guilty for not getting on with things.
Does anyone else feel like this?
Please let me know!
Have you asked for a diagnosis of CPS ?Or CRPS it depends on your country but it is well documented if you search the web.It can be picked up on a scintigramme .
Hi Leesha,
So how is week six? I’m 4 weeks away, I am hoping to be more independent by that time. Yes, I would love to keep up each others spirits. I joined the Facebook group but I am still “pending”.
Looking forward to hearing from you.
Judy
Judy, I remember having to fill something out on the Tibial Plateau Fracture Recovery page. Did you do that yet? You should have gotten an email telling you to go on the page to fill out your info. ? I know there are people all over the world that participate in the discussions. Very kind and accepting group. Everyone realizes how misunderstood this crappy injury is. Many don’t get correct diagnosis until weeks after their accident making recovery that much more difficult. I am almost 5 weeks since my accident and no weight on my left leg this whole time of course. I have a non-displaced, lateral, tibial plateau fracture, needed no surgery. Fell in the parking lot of Walmart running after my runaway basket! You are doing well if at 2wks your pain has subsided so much. The NSAIDS for pain keep you from healing too I read. We are going to see what we’re made of and see what others around us are too. The battle is in the mind and we can’t get dragged down with negativity. Take care. Maybe by now you’ve heard from one of the Admins?
Hi,
I’m glad that you mentioned that. I didn’t here from the admins, so I took another look. The form is on the Facebook website for Tibial Plateau Fractures. When you ask to join you have to also fill out the form. I’ve completed it, so it should be a couple of hours.
I am beginning to feel like a wimp, so many of you have had much more complicated injuries than I do. However, we share the same lack of independence and levels of isolation. After having a complete meltdown last Sunday morning combined with joining this site I feel the first glimpse of acceptance for my situation. I will not allow myself to project the worse outcome and my goal is to regain my independence ASAP.
I am trying to take a more positive outlook. Thanks to all the many inspiring and positive posts here I am emerging from the dark hole. I look forward to sharing this experience and thanks for the positive energy!
2 weeks prior to Christmas 2014 I collapsed due to falling blood pressure and broke my left tibial bone. The surgeon used the conservative approach and had me non weight bearing for 6 weeks both at home and in hospital.
Unfortunately this method did not see the injury knit together.
I was then told I would need to have surgery. On the 27 of March 2015 I had a Left Stryker IM Tibial Nail and 3 screws inserted to hold the tibia in place and allow the bone to heal and help me walk with the aid of crutches and a moon boot which I had worn during the conservative phase. It is now 6 weeks post surgery and although I am able to walk small distances unaided without a crutch I am experiencing terribly knee pain.
My surgeon tells me this is because the pin is put through the knee and sometimes causes damage to a nerve/s or bone. He has advised that I may be left with this pain in the knee and could have the pin out after twelve months but this procedure may not help the pain.
Has anyone else experienced is kind of excruciating pain after this surgery?
Hi,
I just joined and I am “pending”. I am looking forward to interacting with others that can relate to my circumstances. Thanks again for your recommendation.
Judy