What is Stress Fracture of the Tibia and how it can be treated?

Stress fracture of the tibia (or shinbone in the medical parlance) occurs when the force on the tibia by the bones extending upward against the vertical axis of the shin is very high. This forces the upper ends of the tibia to move faster than the lower ends. The result is the rapid changing of the linear length of the tibia. This results in stress being inflicted on the fibrous tissue just beneath the surface of the bone. While the pain from this fracture can be kept under control with simple rest and time-off medication, if the injury is caused by an accident or fall, a more severe treatment is needed.

How the stress fracture of the Tibia is diagnosed?

The diagnosis of a stress fracture of the tibia is made on the basis of a medical examination and x-ray reports. If there are no broken bones near the tibia, then the condition can be confirmed on the basis of the symptoms that the patient complains about. Among these symptoms is a pain in the lower back, swelling, aggravation, and clicking of the joints, instability of the joint(s), and the sensation of weakness in the leg(s). In cases where there is a history of fractures in the family or of the bones, the doctor may also consider the possibility of a stress fracture of the tibia in close relation.

What includes the treatment?

Treatment includes an antibiotic treatment for both the bacteria causing the stress fracture and the local infection. There is also a course of minor surgical drainage to relieve the pressure from the fractured bone and facilitate healing of the tendon. Once the initial swelling has gone, a cast will be placed on the tibia to immobilize it in the position for the cure to take place.

While this procedure is effective, it can also be quite painful and may cause significant disruption in daily life. As a result, some people decide to delay their procedure. Others may choose not to go under the knife because they think that it is not a life-threatening condition. What they do not realize is that serious damage to the bone can occur if the procedure is delayed. This is especially the case with a tibial stress fracture.

Never delay with the treatment of Tibia’s bones

The longer the patient has delayed the procedure, the more stress is exerted on the tibia's bones. Stress fracture of the tibia occurs when repeated stress is placed on the same bone over a period of time. It does not happen randomly, and the chances of developing the condition increase with each recurrence. A stress fracture of the tibia occurs approximately once every 10 years.

The reason why the tibia experiences stress fracture is because it is more susceptible to fractures as it is a shorter bone, about one to one and a half inches long. Due to its short length, the stress fractures are placed on the joint and nearby bones more than on the tibia itself. This causes the bone to break more easily, leading to a faster healing time. When you undergo a stress fracture, your doctor will likely recommend immediate surgical treatment. Unlike other types of surgical procedures, however, this one has a high recurrence rate, so it is best to take a longer break between procedures.

How the surgery is performed for treating the fracture of Tibia’s bone?

During the surgery itself, the surgeon will make several incisions to start the healing process. An IV will be inserted for fluids to replace the lost electrolytes and replace the lost minerals in your body as well. The wound will be closed with stitches to help speed up the healing process.

As long as you take care of your tibia well after the surgery, there will be no complications. The doctor will prescribe a brace to wear to help with any pain or swelling caused by the surgery. To prevent any stress fracture from occurring, avoid jumping, changing positions, or wearing uneven shoes. Follow your orthopedic doctor's instructions carefully and in no time you will have a healthy tibia to join again. If you are looking forward to knowing more about the stress fracture of Tibia then you can simply explore websites like lermagazine.com.