Welcome to the TPF Home Page.
This page has many useful sections with information, and fellow Tibial Plateau Fracture sufferer stories.
If you’ve recently suffered a Tibial plateau Fracture this is the place for you. This site was created after having myself gone through the recovery process of Tibial Plateau Fractures, and this site aims to contain information you need and want to know during Recovery. You can visit the forum to chat and share your story with others. Or, start reading in the Recovery Section Above. In the different pages you will find a lot of helpful information for your recovery period including medical information, first hand accounts of personal recovery stories as well as many useful tips & tricks. It’s Important to understand that this info is based on personal experience and research but that I am not a medical professional. This site is not intended to provide personal health advice. Your doctor is the professional source of information and if any advice your doctor gives you contradicts something written in this site- stick with your doctors opinion.
If you’re asking yourself how long your recovery is going to take, or what to expect, check out the recovery section. If you’re looking for some helpful tips and tricks from people who’ve been there – have a look at tips & tricks. We also have a Forum with recovery stories of different people Containing many inspiring stories and a place to ask fellow visitors questions.
If you’re looking for a community of people who have been through the same also check out the forum, or if you are looking for more information and references, those can be found in “further reading” which contains links to other websites and pages.
This page currently contains mostly information regarding recovery and recuperation after a surgery or non-surgical treatment. If you are still in the hospital and want to know more about your injury this is also the place for you. In future I might add some useful information for your stay in the hospital.
Hope you feel at Home, and feel free to contact about anything at all at [email protected]
Note: This site is currently in building and so some sections might not yet be complete
Shlomi,
September 10th, 2013
*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*
injured playing coed softball fell very hard while running ive had numbness and tingling from knee down in both legs since 3/14 nobody can seem to tell me why other than in my right leg my peroneal nerve is borderline abnormal and my left leg my sural nerve is abnormal. The last tournament I fell 5 or 6 times in one day couldnt figure out why i just thought my legs were getting weak. My doctor decided to do an mri to see if there was any nerve entrapment instead he found a medial tibial plateau fracture which extends my metadiaphysis through the physes into the epiphysis violating the articular surface with no measureable depression of the tibial articular surface with surrounding bone marrow edema and contusion in the medial tibial plateau. (mri) i had a ct 3d restoration view which read no fracture my physician called the radiologist had a dr reread it so we would know which was correct before i go to orthopedic tomorrow she read it the same as the mri was read. Primary physician stated to stay on crutches for 4 to 8 weeks. does this sound serious? anyone have any knowledge on this?
I avulsed the tibia plateau on 6-17-14 which ended in surgery (and vertical screw) on 6-11-14, I am still on crutches but only at 54 degrees flexion and 2 degrees extension. PT three times weekly and my concern is that I have developed bursitis above the knee which is not allowing flexion. Of course it remains inflamed and makes exercises uncomfortable and the surgeon isn’t concerned. So I’m wondering if anyone else has ideas or had this happen?? I was immobilized for three weeks after surgery and am pwb. I am seeking a second opinion however the new dr says he is unable to evaluate my leg until 8 weeks after surgery. I am so frustrated. One day I feel great then bam I’m down again. I’m assuming this is normal? The surgeon and PT don’t have answers other than “be patient”. Thanks for any info or advice!
Hi.
I had my motorcycle crash in mid May. 2 plates and 14 screws to fix the mess that was my lower leg.
I am still NWB and I work with PT twice a week, and have since the top of June. I continue to get swelling that interferes with knee bending and straightening. Before exercising PT heats up and messages my knee to bust up any adhesions that form, and will form for some time, post such a traumatic injury.
I get in my mood places, too…I just feel like this will never end. That being said, everyone is right: this does take time to heal. The more I learn about these breaks the more I understand the need to practice patience. Do as much bending and straightening as you can, and if possible, try the heat trick. I use a heating pad at home between PT appointments. It works for me.
Hang in there!
Hi Lisa ,
Sorry to hear that. You are a very brave woman. I want to know its very difficult time for you but be patience. please update
your report . I need a favor from you if possible.In my MRI report they wrote it.There is a small joint effusion. There is abnormal increased PD FS signal within the proximal tibia bone marrow which is most consistent with stress reaction or contusion.If you know what is the meaning plz tell me. My OS is in vacation.
Hello.
When talking about MRIs, PD is the Proton Density and FS means Fat Suppressed. I don’t know too much about the topic other than PD-FS signal is how the MRI is conducted (what signals are used to obtain images) and read. An increase in these numbers generally indicate (and I could be wrong so you will need to clarify this with a doctor at some point) some swelling is visible on the MRI. Basically, the MRI is confirming what you already knew…there is swelling coming from within the knee area which is from a traumatic injury and the MRI technician can see it clearly.
I think if you took everyone on this website that has a TPF, we would have an increased PD-FS signal, because we all have had injuries to the knee area. If you were to take people that have broken elbows and placed them in an MRI, I would guess that they, too, would have increase PD-FS signals in there elbows.
Hope this helps!
Hi I have stress TPF NO surgery required but cant walk last 9 weeks.NO swelling on my knee but when I walk I feel too much pressure on my knee.How much
time it will take for recovery. I am fed up and I want to walk only normal walk.plz suggest what will I do
Hi Madhvi.
I know…God do I KNOW…how tiring this whole thing can be, but please hang in there.
TPF are serious injuries, and as such they take long to heal. For example, I will be NWB for 3-4 months. My physical therapy told me to expect the need to ease into walking, and that there will be days when I will need to back off from walking to rest the knee area.
Are you working with physical therapy? What does your doc say about the knee pressure?
Hi Lisa,
Thanks For replying. I have TPF stress fracture last 9 weeks . My doctor told me it will heal itself. My doctor not given advise
for physical therapy now. I cant understand why I cant walk my knee is hyperextended and lot of pressure in below of my knee.In my
MRI there is ACL,PCL AND MCL are normal. Plz anybody tell me why my knee is hyperextended?
one more thing in my case surgery is not required.what type of knee brace can i use? my bone density test is normal.
I think I would be contacting my doctor and asking for specific information, such as knee concerns and what bracing is the best for your injury. I would guess that the pressure you feel below your knee would be cause by the fracture to the tibia plateau since the tibia plateau is directly below the knee.
Again, take time to heal and speak to your doctor about specific care instructions. Your knee and leg won’t feel normal after such an injury…at least not until it has been given time to rest and heal.
Hi Lisa,
One more thing in my case surgery is not required. what type of knee brace can i use? why my knee is hyperextended?
Hi guys, great feed. I had a tpf in late May 14′. I required 7 hours of surgery which only until I’d seen the X-ray under estimated what I’d done. I’m only allowed touch pressure on my toes but my knee brace has been given full flexion, however this is sore. I’m really struggling getting my knee straight at the moment, managed 15 degrees extension after many weeks of physio, anyone else had this problem? I’m a 22 year old male and fear I won’t be able to take part in more physically demanding sports again. Such a long recovery.
So six weeks after surgery and I am at 54 degrees flexion and the dr says bursitis is causing the pain during flexing and I’m looking for ideas to get this leg moving! This is an infuriating recovery! One thing causes another!
I suffered my tpf may 17th in a basketball game. May 28th had surgery to have a plate and 8 screws installed. In. 1999 I had broken my back, no surgery needed and still coming out of surgery on my knee was I worst pain I have experienced! After 4 hours in extreme pain I was put on morphine. Needless to say much is a blur of the next 24 hrs. I was prescribed. Oxycotton and oxycodone with a history of substance abuse and after almost 2 months on them it was a fight to put them down. I found it was not helping the pain anymore but just helping put me in more of a depression and a slump. I go to pt 2x a week and am still nwb until the end of august. I never thought at 30 I would be in this position! Being an electrician I’m out of work until I can climb a ladder again and have no idea when ill be able to do that again, I’m thinking sometime in sept hopefully. Its funny to think but some of my biggest accomplishments these past couple months has been showering standing up, rolling over in my sleep and being able to lift my leg on my own. My kids are learning this summer that sometimes we all fall on hard times and its tough to lose my summer and theirs. Slowly recovering and found this place and thought id vent a little, friends, family and my job try to understand and are but they don’t really know. I’m half way until I can put weight on my foot and don’t know how it will go, kinda scary. Can’t wait to get back to the job I needed a vacation from but this is a little crazy. Wish everyone a good recovery past, present and future and thanks for letting me bitch a little!
After being nwb for about 3 months, I went fwb on the 30th of June. I used a walker all of the time I was nwb, and now that I’m fwb, it’s taken me about a week, but now, I can go most of the day using a cane. I’m hoping to get off the cane within the next week or so- but, I’m being cautious so I don’t screw anything up. I was able to get back to work last week, because my employer has been really good to me, giving me jobs I can do sitting down and my work-mates have been very obliging. So, I believe I’m on the road to recovery!! A couple weeks ago, I wasn’t so sure and was feeling real worried and disgusted with the whole process.
I wish you the best of luck on your recovery, sounds like you’ve had a tough row to hoe. This is an excellent site to come to and bitch, everyone here knows what you’re going through and we’re all here to support you.
I hear you!! I’m pretty worried about climbing a ladder also but for the pool! Thankfully I have just left my job and my hubby has taken full load on his shoulders! I evolged my tibia plateau on May 17th stepping down while fishing (I should have been cleaning lol) and just finding this blog has given me hope that I am going to heal. I just need to be patient which I am not! Being 41 with two daughters looking forward to a fun loving summer, boy have we had a rude awakening!! My surgery was 6-11 and I really thought I would be up and running the next day! Surprise lots of pain and NWB for three weeks then 20 degrees then 60 degrees finally! I have to say I’ve been a massage therapist for 17 years and am so happy I could work on my quads to help loosen up my knee! Biotone muscle joint relief and sombra and Ice has been my life saver these pass few months! I am looking forward to reading these inspiring blogs which is going to help me with my patience! Being depressed from no kayaking or summer fun I found the BEST thing for me was to ease my way into the pool very carefully! PT three times a week right now and hopefully with patience I can get rid of these infuriating crutches soon! Hope we all heal fast and dig deep to find some peace!! Thanks for letting me bend your ear!
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Hello! I fell on December 28, 2013 on a piece of very uneven blue slate (HARD) on a downtown city sidewalk. There was a tree stump next to it (that was moved for obvious reasons) and the slate was left (should have also been removed). Needless to say, my boot got wedged under the slate as we were running to get to our car in a heavy downpour. The next thing I know, I am face down in the street having passed out from the knee pain. My husband had to leave me with strangers and go get the car. After getting me in the car, we headed for home. He had to physically carry me into the house as I could not bear any weight on my right leg. After assessing the situation, we called for an ambulance instead of trying to transport me in my condition. My cousin, who is my personal physician, met us there with an OS that he knew very well. I was admitted and dosed up with some potent meds. I was told that I broke my leg, but no other information was given at that time. I think they just wanted to get me comfortable and in a room so that I could rest as we had been there since 11:00 PM and it was 4:00 AM when I was wheeled to a room. The next morning, I called my parents and they came to the hospital to hear the news with me and my husband. I was told that I would need a total knee replacement due to a bicondylar comminuted stage 6 tibia plateau fracture. After consulting with several other Drs on staff, it was decided that the trauma I suffered could not be handled at this hospital. They sent my X-rays off to several local hospitals as well as others in different states. After two days in one hospital, I was transferred by ambulance to another hospital that deals with severe trauma. I entered one hospital on a Saturday, left on a Tuesday, operated on a Thursday, and sent home the following Saturday. The longest week of my life for sure!
The day I returned home, I was greeted by my pastor from the school where I teach, my best friend, a colleague that made us some homemade soup, and a physical therapist…….was not expecting that to happen so soon. Started the therapy at home on the same day. She came to me for over a month, three days a week. She was amazing and I am proud to call her a friend. She helped my in so many ways both mentally and physically. Once I was released from her care, I began going to an outpatient therapist three days a week…….having my mom in the same town was a godsend!!!! Therapy was hard, but very rewarding…..gave me hope that I so desperately needed. That went on for two more months, then I went back to work after 3 1/2 months off. I am a fourth grade teacher at a private 1-12 grade school. I went back to work with limited responsibilities, but it was still very hard because teaching is such a physical job. I did not like teaching from a chair and would alternate sitting with standing and leaning on my walker or crutches. I went back on the 7th of April and we got out of school this past Friday (May 30). Unfortunately, I stopped therapy during this time due to extreme exhaustion and fatigue by the end of the school days. It was all I could do to get home and get in the bed. I have taken a huge step backwards in my therapy, but will begin aquatic therapy this week. At this point, I can walk unaided…..with a very noticeable limp. I suffer from pain everyday, I still do not sleep thru a whole night, I have zero energy, and I have moments of anxiety/anger/hopelessness every single day. People that have not broken a leg just do not get it. Thankfully, I have a great support group with my husband (he is a doctor……but not a very compassionate one!), family, and close friends. They have helped me thru this every step of the way. My only concerns at the present time are: Will I ever walk normal again and when will I need a knee replacement. I will definitely need one of those…..could be a year or could be 5 years. I am already showing increased development of osteoarthritis. I actually go to a rheumatologist tomorrow to get results from some tests that I had prior to my fall…..had to cancel the return appointment obviously. Praying that I get good news on that front!
Finding this Blog and My Broken Leg have been so helpful during this time. I could not have made it through the past 5 months without reading other people’s posts and realizing that I am indeed not alone. This is a club that no one really ever wants to join, but it is a club of compassion, understanding, and helpfulness. So for that, I say……THANK YOU ALL SO MUCH FOR SHARING YOUR STORIES! KEEP UP THE GOOD FIGHT AND STAY STRONG AND POSITIVE. THIS TOO SHALL PASS.
Happy healing, LeClair
I too had a tpf about 2 years and 2 months ago. April 26th 2012. I was 28. Ambulance picked me up off the street(also broken clavicle) and took me to the hospital ER. After a lot of medicine, ct scans, X-rays and waiting the OP surgeon of that hospital came in and feared she wouldn’t be the right fit for the job. So they transferred me to another hospital via ambulance. The next day I had my surgery. A medal plate and nine screws, NWB for almost 4 months, and my life was changed forever.
Last night at work I started to develop some pain every time I took a step and put presure on my leg. I figured it would just go away as it usually does. This morning I woke up and can barely walk. Sever shooting pain every other step and my knee feels weak for some reason. I hope it’s nothing serious.
I had my fall back in May, got hit by a dog while I was cycling, broke my left clavicle and also had a TPF on my right leg. I had to wait 6 days for surgery. where they also performed a large microfracture. My recovery was slow due to the injuries been on opposite sides. I was able to load bear after 5 weeks which seemed a bit soon looking at others posts, and started to drive again after 7. Everything seemed to going well, but like Amanda I have also got worse over the last week or so, the pain is making me stop walking and my mood swings seem to be awful, it is pretty much making me full on depressed, I have two beautiful kids who are very active and I have not been able to do any activities with them over the summer. They have me on Codeine but this barely takes the edge off, does anyone have any other suggestion for what to take or ask for when the pain comes on hard. I am having to go back to physio and just feel like I am digressing. Another symptom I seem to have developed is a kind of insomnia, I have not had a good nights sleep since my accident and I am awake for most of the night. has anyone else suffered similar and have any tricks to sleep.
Sad to say I’ve got this issue myself now.. My issue sounds very similar to what others have posted. Displaced tibial plateau fracture. Did it on a motorcycle also. Going 15 mph around a curve in a dirt road. Lots of gravel and I was fatigued from riding over 300 miles that day. Now I have been laying on my couch for over a week and a half with an external fixator thing on my leg… Surgery scheduled next week and similar procedure. 2 plates on either side with 14 screws. Surgeon stated that it’d be 3 months non weight bearing and a good 6 months before I can walk normal. Yeah….
It’s depressing as it screwed up my entire Summer and possibly even more. I’m very lucky that I’ve got a great wife that’s helping me through this and I thankfully work from home so no loss of work. Like others, I’m extremely active and this is freaking killing me. I’ll follow the PT and Dr’s advice to the letter and will be modifying my diet to help with recovery.
Hi Rick, sorry you had to join us, join us on Facebook, details are in the further reading tab
Hi Rick.
I was going about 5 MPH on my motorcycle; foot slipped of brake and hit a curb in a curve. That was May 13.
I was hospitalized and had to deal with the ex fix before the “big” surgery. I now have 2 plates and 14 screws holding my tibia together. Like you, I am also seeing my summer go by and wishing I could do more.
The mood swings are the worse. No one tells you about the moods during the recovery process.
Hang in there!
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Would appreciate follow ups if possible
Hi Jackie, my swelling continued until about week 10, physio says this is quite normal
Question: Today is 3 weeks from my fall and I still have swelling. No surgery was required for my tpf. Is this normal? Am I not icing and elevating enough. Should I be concerned about the swelling to contact my doctor? Also having swelling in foot.
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