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.
I was hit nearly head-on in an MVA Feb 16 2016. Dx’d with slight concussion,right ankle fx, tibial plateau fx, 3 fx ribs, hematomas from under right arm to sole of right foot. Airbag bruising to chest & left calf. Right calf has a large non resolving hematoma the full length of the calf that will be surgically opened and drained next week. Surgery was not required for the TPF. I use a walker to stand & pivot to wheelchair. Due to fx ribs at 3+ weeks out it is still too painful to use my right arm enough to be independent in transferring yet and will remain NWB for another 4 weeks. My PT just had me start some exercises, aside from foot circles etc that began right after accident.
I have continued to need narcotic pain control, mostly for the ribs and calf; by second week 3 – 4 norco in 24hrs, then and currently one at bedtime (which is in a recliner) and one more during early am on two days recently.
I am alarmed by how painfull (in addition to the ribs etc) that any attempts to bend my knee is at this point. I am 67,work 2 jobs and am used to being on the run always. I fully expected to be “back to normal” in 3 – 4 months. I consider myself blessed to be alive, but am now wondering what else is ahead. Anyone with similar experiences out there to help me swallow the disappointment I am feeling, fighting tears missing time with my grandkids and my work.
Hi there everyone, it’s mmy first go to see at this website, andd piece of riting iss really fruitful for me,
keep upp posting these posts.
Does everyone have to leave the screws and plates in after healing is complete? My wife just had the operation. I know she would like to have them taken out. Are there any options here? Does the patient have a say in the decision?
– Jake
Jake,
I was hit by a car on December 4th and as a result had a tibial plateau fracture, displaced, a torn meniscus and torn ACL. Had surgery a few days later and have a plate and some screws in my leg. I was at the doctor this past Monday and finally able to put full weight on the leg, using a cane most of the time. Before that I was non-weight-bearing for the first 7 weeks and then was able to put 20% weight on the leg, using a walker. (I was not good with crutches.) I asked the doctor if the plate and screws needed to be removed and he said that 98% of his patients do get the hardware removed and that he prefers to remove it once everything has healed. I was at physical therapy the other day and I was talking with a woman who also had a TPF, 2 years ago, and had surgery to repair the injury. She still has her hardware in and has no intention of having it removed. It doesn’t bother her at all and her doctor said that as long as it isn’t bothering her, she can leave it in. I am of the opinion that every doctor’s view is different about this and that your wife should discuss it with her doctor. I do know, however, that they don’t usually remove the hardware before 6 months after the surgery.
Thanks Barbara for the useful information. We’ll bring this up with the surgeon that my wife had, at our next check up. Just out of curiosity, what option do you lean towards? – jake
I had what sounds like a pretty severe tibial plateau fracture in my right knee. I had surgery last Thursday and have the plate/screws and cadaver bone. At 6 days in, I am still pretty miserable. I have had other surgeries (a bunion in my foot, a cyst on my eyelid). In those cases, I maybe took one or two of the Norco prescribed and threw the rest of the bottle away. I am shocked and a little frightened that i still need it. And if i go longer than the four hours I really feel it. They said it was a bad one with the fracture extending down my shin quite a ways and many other words of which i have not clue what they mean. (compressed)? Anyway, would be interested in how long others have needed pain killers? Also, thanks for creating this board. It was helpful to find it this morning. I woke up sad and teary this morning for the first time. I think I was just absorbing how long this is going to take. It also sucks as I am (was) a pretty active person. I walked 3-4 miles every morning in the woods near my home. It is like losing part of your identity. I slipped on a log that until then i had walked over every day. ICE!
from my own experience the painkillers were the worst part of the entire experience. my tibia plateau fracture is extremely painful and surgery with 9 screws and titanium plate was perhaps the most painful thing I ever experienced 10 days on narcos was about all I could take.when I stopped taking the narcotics about 5 days later the pain changed from the bone crushing pain to a more of a healing type pain which I still experience 5 weeks and 4 days into my recovery. the worst part of the painkillers was the constipation I think the constipation was worse or made worse the pain that I was experiencing once I was able to move through that I started feeling better almost immediately. I have physical therapy 3 times a week and can bend my knee 104 degrees and AM only a couple of degrees away from straightening my leg is completely. I think the psychological aspect of this injury is important to acknowledge the inability to move around in addition to the pain can alter a person’s lifestyle very quickly this will naturally have a psychological impact on the patient. friends and family who gather around are the most important and take advantage of any help you can get because you certainly will need it. this website does go a long way to sharing your experiences and getting support from others who are going through the same thing. remember that there is an end to this and things will eventually get better will take quite a bit of work but that’s okay we will get there eventually.
I got this injury skiing on Jan. 15, 2016 so, about 8 weeks now. I was lucky not to need surgery. The first few weeks were still very painful and I was on percocet for about two weeks. I stopped taking them as soon as the pain became manageable with just extra strength tylenol. You should not feel bad about taking the painkillers- you will need them. Eating lots of fruit and taking a natural laxative will help with constipation issues as that can add a lot to your discomfort. I was in tears many times, often out of sheer frustration at not being able to do anything much for myself and having to watch my house descend into chaos as my partner struggled to do his job and my own. I went back to work after three weeks and it was good to be useful and around other people. I have an office job and so it was possible to do that. The next few weeks will be tough but it does get better and you will see slow and steady improvement. In the meantime be kind to yourself and allow others to do things for you. Soon everything will seem brighter. Also I highly recommend a shower stool so you can safely have a seated shower – it will make you feel much better! Good Luck with your recovery.
Oda,
My story is about the same as yours. I was injured on March 1, 2016 while skiing. I went home after I fell and after the swelling did not go down and I was still in pain, I went to the ER. My first question was will I be able to ski next year. He said it depends on how I heal after the surgery. The doctor gave me a prescription (generic Percocet) and crutches and told me to see an Orthopedic doctor when I returned home to PA.
I saw the doctor when I returned and showed him my first x-rays. I was fortunate that I did not have to have surgery. My pain has been minimal. I took the pain pills the first two days and have only taken 4 since I returned home on the March 7th. It is my right leg and I cannot drive and have to depend on friends, family, and Uber :-). I can bend my knee and cross my leg without any pain.
I am not in any pain anymore. My adjustable brace is set at 90/90 (180). The doctor wants me to bend my knee sometimes so it doesn’t get stiff and do leg lifts to keep the muscle ABOVE my knee active and then no issues with atrophy. He says I will be out from work 6-8 weeks. That is very sad for me because I like my job and miss the interaction with my co-workers. I count the days on the calendar every day and have an appointment every 2 weeks with my doctor. When I go back, I will have 6 more weeks to go (based on 8 weeks recovery).
Even tho’ I asked would I be able to ski again, in reality, even when I heal, I will be afraid to play tennis or ski. I have become very paranoid about participating in any sports now.
Hey Jay. First off you need to slow down and relax. This is a very crucial time in your recovery. Since you didn’t have surgery you need to let the bones and flesh heal. I have 7 plates,33 screws and my femur broke in 3 places. So my recovery is a couple years!! So count your blessings. The first few weeks are tough mentally. You are in the dark and questioning everything. Try not to get frustrated and short with people. It is very easy to get pissy. Ice,elevation,protein and rest is the best routine right now. Anyway I am in Williamsport PA. Where are you? I am a skiier also , I lived in Colorado for 5 years. Lynday Vonn America’s #1 female skiier ever has had this injury twice! She did it in 2012 I believe. Recovered and trained and made it back. She just fell a couple weeks ago and did it again. It was a clean break with no ligament damage. She skiied the next day with a brace on. She is taking the month off and going back to europe. She is doing the super G and slalom so with food physical therapy and losts of self motivation you should be just fine. Anyway I hope this helped. Good luck
D
I had my fracture skiing on Feb. 12 and was just cleared for partial weight bearing. No surgery – the fracture was non-displaced, PCL avulsion, and partial MCL tear. I was able to get up and ski back to the lodge and drive myself home but wouldn’t dream of trying to ski/race on it the next day with the swelling and pain. Lindsey Vonn is amazing.
At this point, I haven’t put my skis away for the season but it’s not looking good. Yes, I’m crazy. I skied Lake Louise and Sunshine 4 1/2 weeks after breaking my ankle 3 years ago but it was frustrating having to stick to the groomers and being mostly on one leg and trying to take it easy. It was good mentally to know that I could do it but probably not the best therapy for the ankle and I don’t want to screw up my knee again. Missed a trip last week to Utah with some friends who just got back. I was disappointed but know I’m not ready to get back out yet.
The worst part about this is being incapacitated for weeks/months. I was lucky in that I was able to drive and could get around well on the crutches but it has been 6 weeks non-weight bearing and my hamstring and quads are seriously weak. It is amazing how fast the muscle atrophies when you are not able to use it. Hitting the PT hard over the next few weeks and want to be close to 100% by the end of the summer. Just happy right now to be able to start walking on it a bit.
With the ankle injury (same leg BTW) the hardest thing was regaining balance. With the knee injury, I think the hardest thing will be regaining the strength and stability in the leg. It takes time, but don’t be afraid to get back into doing what you were doing before the injury. Make sure you work to get the strength and range of movement back in the joint so you have the confidence when you do get back to your skiing and tennis.
Hang in there Annette. I also had a very severe tpf back in October (hiking), where my options were lay there in the Hospital for two days for the right surgeon to show up or loose the lower leg entirely. I live in a major metropolitan area in the pacific northwest – wasn’t like some country doctor had to summit the pass on his mule to get there (although it seemed like it). Worst part of my recovery was the 12 weeks of “no weight bearing” – started out with a walker (hated it), graduated to crutches (hated them for 10 weeks), moved to a cane (humiliating, hated it too) but now I’m back to work (sort-of) still limping a bit, still some pain in the ACL area and toward the front below the patella as I extend while walking – All these things are getting better, but I measure the improvement week-by-week, not day-by-day. As to your question about how long pain killers are needed… I’m pretty sure that will vary with extent of reconstruction, age/fitness and attitude. I still take a damitall (Tramidol) pretty-much each morning – just allows me to get started, get through the morning. So, that’s been about 5 months now. Been weight-bearing and sorta walking since December 29th – first 4 weeks with that cane I mentioned, but without assistance/support for the last 4 or 5 weeks.
The best way I can describe the condition / situation is as it was described to me :
The surgeon did a fantastic job putting as many of the larger pieces of bone back in their places, puttied-in the missing splinters with some sort of bone growth stimulating “wonder-putty”, added the plates and rods and screws to make things strong again… but inspite of his expertise, no matter how skilled a physician he is, there’s just no way to put things exactly where God did. So you’ll just have to learn to walk on it all over again – the other good news is
that your brain already knows what is expected and what to do. It’s all about attitude now.
respects, Lonnie
Annette – sorry to hear about your injury. People have posted with a lot of good advice. The emotional part was hardest for me. I got off the pain killers as soon as I could. Wean yourself off – don’t stop suddenly. I was active like you and that has been the hardest part. All I can say is that it will get easier. The worst is in the beginning because you feel so fragile. I had to go up and down the stairs on my butt because I was afraid of falling and putting weight on my leg. I am finally at 14 weeks and was only allowed to 25% weight bear starting 2 weeks ago. It is so much easier to be able to put a foot down. It is a long journey and patience is the key (as hard as that is) Good luck. Have you heard about the Facebook Closed group? If you are on FB, search for TPF injury. Lots of good advice there.
Hi I am exactly 2 weeks post surgery and had first physio session yesterday. Was described by dr as young and fit at 56 so feeling good! Brace set at 60° and given me exercises. About to make myself a regime as I know I’m not good at sticking to things. Finding it difficult to balance how much I should be moving around with usefulness of doing that!. Crutches to kitchen move a few things around within the limits of what I can carry and then back to living room! Then what? Sit down! Should I be expecting more of myself am I being lazy ? Normally very busy and active so tricky time. Have lots of family and friends support so could lie back and do nothing which I know is not a good idea! Know I have a long road ahead and lots of painful hard work so keen to keep in touch with others going through the same! Think I posted this before !! Sorry brain addled
Helen. I cannot stress how important it is to keep going to PT and to do the home exercises. I am 60 yr old male now 9 weeks post surgery. (10 1/2 weeks post accident) Plate and 12 screws. I just graduated from crutches to a cane and am now weight bearing as tolerated. My flexion and extension are better, but not quite all the way back yet, so my gait is still very jerky. The PT and exercises will help you regain your balance and give you confidence in yourself. At this point in your recovery, you still need quite a lot of “down time”. Don’t forget ice and elevation. You will become more active as time goes on. Doing the exercises will have you ready to start moving when you are able. Patience is not my forte, but it was required of me in this circumstance. Be thankful for family and friends who are willing to help.
Hi I am exactly 2 weeks post surgery and had first physio session yesterday. Was described by dr as young and fit at 56 so feeling good! Brace set at 60° and given me exercises. About to make myself a regime as I know I’m not good at sticking to things. Finding it difficult to balance how much I should be moving around with usefulness of doing that!. Crutches to kitchen move a few things around within the limits of what I can carry and then back to living room! Then what? Sit down! Should I be expecting more of myself am I being lazy ? Normally very busy and active so tricky time. Have lots of family and friends support so could lie back and do nothing which I know is not a good idea! Know I have a long road ahead and lots of painful hard work so keen to keep in touch with others going through the same!
Is there anywhere in the us I can purchase Zimmerman frame?
to be honest at the physio centre where I was a Zimmer was not advised (posture maybe) can you hire one if really necessary as it should be only for a short time .
GREAT read.. wish I saw this right after my surgery! Broke my tibia with a spiral fracture to my fibia this past October 31, 2015. Had surgery Nov 3 and they put some plates and screws. Took calcium supplements everyday, healed up pretty quick. Hardest was the first month. Once they took out the staples and wound healed (Neosporin helped) started doing moderate toe exercises. Alphabet with toes helped, eventually will increase range of motion to the ankle. Always kept a pillow or something under my knee, whether it was at night in the bed or while on the recliner-helped to avoid any knee pain, strain, or stiffness. Almost 4 months in, no crutches and about to have an appointment to take off the boot. Physical therapy 2x a week as well as 3x a day at home stretches helped.
Hello
Really enjoyed the article and right now i am 3weeks post surgery for tibea plateau fracture
Many plates screws and some cadavor bone.
Right now range of motion is around100 to 110 degrees. I have a great physical therapist
And work very hard at home on range of motion and muscle strengthing. It is very hard mentally to deal with this injury. It is very true how much past reflection is done on your life. You quickly come to realize what is truly important and what is more ego generated. If other people are suffering from this same injury would love to hear from you.
Hi Tim
Sounds like you’ve got great range of motion. I am 4 weeks and 4 days post op and almost at 100 but my knee is so tight it won’t move more yet. Today will start water therapy at the gym and see how it goes. I know what you mean about introspection, the pain and suffering left me examining my life. The psychologist said I was too hard on myself, so Iam trying to lighten up and have patience. This is going to be a long journey to my active life, its depressing sometimes but i am going to fight like a tiger everyday to overcome this injury. I am 58 but I’ll come back in time. Keep moving forward and know there’s some other guys out there in the same boat as you. — James
Hi I am exactly 2 weeks post surgery and had first physio session yesterday. Was described by dr as young and fit at 56 so feeling good! Brace set at 60° and given me exercises. About to make myself a regime as I know I’m not good at sticking to things. Finding it difficult to balance how much I should be moving around with usefulness of doing that!. Crutches to kitchen move a few things around within the limits of what I can carry and then back to living room! Then what? Sit down! Should I be expecting more of myself am I being lazy ? Normally very busy and active so tricky time. Have lots of family and friends support so could lie back and do nothing which I know is not a good idea! Know I have a long road ahead and lots of painful hard work so keen to keep in touch with others going through the same!
Patience is key. It is a long recovery, but at the end the prospects are good. I am not generally a patient person. I am 8 wks post surgery (plate and 12 screws) and have one week of partial weight bearing behind me. Next week I go to weight bearing as tolerated and either one crutch or a cane. Each little advance gives me hope that I am getting better. To be honest, I am already experimenting with one crutch at home and am gaining confidence in using my repaired leg. (I told you I was not a patient patient.) Keep going to PT and do the exercises at home. It really makes a difference.
I forgot to say that I am a 60 yr old male, not particularly active and injured my leg in a scooter accident. Getting better and better every day.
This is a great site and I thank you, Shlomi, for putting it together. I never heard of this injury until now and certainly had no idea how serious it could be.
I am writing on behalf of my wife who has just suffered the injury and has today returned home from the surgery.
Her sutured incision started to bleed a little through the dressing and while initially quite upsetting, we figured it was a combination of the blood thinner she was on to reduce the chances of a dangerous clot and the extra moving around she was doing on her first day out of the hospital bed. It was also likely due to some rubbing from the so-called zip brace she was given to wear. It’s a brace with solid, flat metal rods on each side and 6 sets of velcro straps securing it almost from the ankle to the top of the thigh with an opening on the front of the knee. It holds the whole leg fairly tightly and allows little or no movement in any direction. We checked to see if the wound had opened. It hadn’t but was seeping out a little between the metal staples that were used. So we basically dabbed up the blood, applied a new dressing, and wrapped it not too tightly with elastic wrap. Hopefully that will stop the bleeding.
The doctor was adamant about no weight bearing and while I understand his insistence, I wanted to know what can happen if one does accidentally put weight on the bad leg. He wouldn’t answer but just went back to “no weight bearing of any kind for the first 10-12 weeks”. Has anyone accidentally or otherwise put some weight on the leg? If so, what were the consequences? It seems almost impossible to go 12 weeks without one misstep or stumble that leads to a weight bearing move or even a fall.
Look forward to hearing more about others’ experiences. It’s comforting to hear what lessons have been learned along the way. It’s also nice to know that there’s some light at the end of what can be, a long tunnel here.
– Jake
Hi Jake, the brace is worn to keep the knee sable, a PTF , due to it’s location, create an exstreamly unstable knee, the Femoral Bone no longer has a solid platform to absorb the shock of weight baring, when it bears down on the Tibia. So, this is were the brace comes in, it will create the stability the knee needs if your wife should have a fall, or stumble. It will not let the knee bend, or tweak sideways. So just be careful, avoid steps, assist your wife in difficult situations- like in and out the shower/bath, in and out of cars. This is a very long haul injury, and weight baring takes place after 3-4 months, wearing the brace will prevent injury to the knee if there is a fall. Good luck, and good wishes to your wife.
Hello Jake, do make sure your good lady wife uses a walking frame to get about during her NWB time -hopping on her good leg, and not tempted to use crutches. I used the latter a came a cropper – back to A&E! Crutches are just not safe when non weight bearing. I was 17+ weeks NWB so at the end I could hop for Britain!
Hi Marilyn: Thanks for the warning re crutches and yes, I agree. Using crutches, especially at first when you’re just getting the hang of it, it seems only a matter of time before one slips or misses a step and the NWB state is instantly over and damage is done.
Re the walking frame – did you use the two wheeled version or the four wheeled version?
– Jake
Hi Jake, the frame I used had no wheels. It is the sort you lift forwards a short distance then hop/walk towards it. In the UK its known as a Zimmer frame. The frames are adjustable for height. I did use crutches when I was given the all clear to begin weight bearing. The frame was still very useful even then – and still is now at times during the night!
Marilyn
Hi Jake,
I had the same brace over my toe to knee cast. I had several nondisplaced fractures which did not require surgery, but I had to be nwb for 3 months for proper healing. It took another month before I could actually place weight on my foot. I was told that weight would displace the fractures. I did everything in my power not to place weight on my leg. I used a wheel chair and a walker. Crutches seemed to unstable – I tried them for a couple of steps. I did fall once while brushing my teeth, but made sure my injured leg did not bear weight. (The in home therapist (2 visits) put the wheels of the walker on the inside of the frame to go through my bathroom door easier. This seemed unstable from the minute she did it. After the fall, I changed the wheels back to the outside and did not fall again.) There was no way I could get up off the floor by myself so my husband had to help. While I was falling, instinct kicked in to protect my leg. Even with a fall, I never put weight on my leg before the doctor gave me the green light.
Good Luck!
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Thank you so much for your very important and meaningful advice. Finally, after nearly 4 month between hospitals and rehab I’m finally home but I wasn’t prepared for attempting to do everything by myself. I have a lot of pain in my knee cap but will have a cat scan soon to see what’s going on. I’m thinking about total knee replacement later this year. I have no idea except that I want to walk again without walker assistance and be back to myself once again.
Thank you so much for your advice. I have to be patient and I’m hard on myself.
Gissele
I’m 10 weeks in recovery and continue to have shooting pain under my kneecap when I walk with a walker. Has anyone had this experience and will it ever go away? I’m FWB but there too much pain in my knee and my knee is too weak yo put full weight alone. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
Gissele
My knee also doesn’t straighten….,my therapist has given me stretches to do at home and basically it’s all day long. I have seen a small improvement over the past week and a half. I go to therapy twice a week and they shock my quads so the stretches aren’t too bad!! My rom is great…. 120 at week 3, but at week 13 my knee is still bent. I hope this helps. Are you on Facebook group?? It’s a really great group, tibial plateau fracture recovery.
I’m at 3 weeks post op and the doc
said I should be able to straighten my leg within a week.
it’s been a week now and I can’t get it to straighten all the way even with all the bending and stretching I have done.
is it dangerous to be forcing it or will it straighten out in time?
Personally, I wouldnt push it if it’s painful &/or doesnt feel right. It can b helpful if you sit in hot bath w some epsom salts & try to relax it & do some stretches. For me, the first time i could completely straighten my knee was during a hot bath. It took awgile so be patient. Also along w your stretching, massage it regularly to help circulation.
Hi Catherine, typically NWB can last 3-4 months. So if your at 12 weeks, you should still be NWB till your Dr. gives you the go-ahead. Usually after taking an X-ray to be sure all is OK, let your Dr. be your guide. In regards to PT, again it’s your Dr who refers you to a PT clinic. How soon this happens is still up to your Dr. Some people on this chat site don’t get any PT, others get allot. I guess it’s just luck in having the right Dr. in the first place ? But you must be pro-active in your recovery, if your not getting any PT, ask your Dr. why. Good luck.
I’m 12 weeks in to my recovery. I can bend my knee pretty good but I can’t straighten my knee. It’s like it’s permanently in this position and I causing major problems on my posture when using crutches. Can anyone tell me if they have experienced this and what advice, good or bad I need to know
Catherine ????
I am 18 months down the line ,all I cannot do is run ,so I jog .Physio is so important even of you have not been given the go ahed to weight bear .Your muscles weaken within days of not using them ,there are plenty you can do lying down .Fortunately I live in a country that spends alot on health care so I was 12 wks in a physio hospital doing exercises for 3 hrs a day .As soon as you have the go ahead get to a pool and bike ride in it .You can do this by sticking a piece of long tibular foam between your legs if there is no bike ,then pedal like mad .Then walk up and down doing different steps .This all increases your muscle mass .Buy a soft rubber ball and press on it (be careful of your posture on this )Also Roll the ball up and down a wall you have to lie down with your bum as close to the wall as possible Good luck .
Catharine, look at: knee-pain-explained.com
Select the knee strengthening exercise option. The first exercise is the one you need for knee straightening. The rest are brilliant too.
This site is excellent and has videos to accompany the text to make sure you do the exercises right.
Marilyn