Physiotherapy after a tibia fracture

The mechanisms that lead to a tibia fracture are usually accidents or sports injuries – in any case, extreme external force is required to break the strong tibia. Symptoms of a tibia fracture include swelling, redness, heat, pain and a restriction in the strength and mobility of the leg. Occurrence, walking and standing are hardly possible or only possible with severe pain.

Healing time

The healing time of a bone fracture varies depending on the extent of the injury but also on individual circumstances such as general health behaviour and protection of the fracture or cooperation in the therapy. Bone healing or, in general, the body’s own wound healing takes place in different phases. After an operation, structures are usually resilient again earlier, but complete healing takes just as long as conventional healing.

In addition, a surgical intervention always poses a risk and a great strain for the body. More information under: Physiotherapy after a bone fracture

  • A simple fracture without joint involvement usually does not require surgery.
  • If the ends of the fractures are not far apart, i.e. distant from their place of origin or twisted, a bone can grow back together on its own.
  • First, new bone fibers are formed, which cross the fracture site through growth and rejoin the bone ends. This process takes about six weeks.

    During this time, the bone is immobilized in a plaster cast and stress should be avoided.

  • In the next phase, the fibers harden and become more stable. This takes about three months. In this phase, the patient should be moved and stress stimuli should be applied in an adapted manner.
  • In the last phase, the system returns to the old function, which can take up to a year.

Physiotherapeutic intervention

The physiotherapeutic follow-up treatment is based on the healing phases described above. Furthermore, it is always oriented on the current pain sensation, which always represents a warning signal and must not be ignored.

  • In the initial plaster phase, all prophylactic measures are taken to prevent the consequences of absolute immobilization.

    If left untreated, there is a risk of muscle loss, adhesions, joint contractures and subsequent movement restrictions, which once they occur are difficult to reverse. Adjacent joints are moved through, static and isometric strengthening exercises are gradually learned, surrounding tension is massaged, and swellings are removed by positioning and manual manipulation.

  • After the cast is removed, the therapy moves more from passive to active exercises. The extent of movement is expanded, the affected joint is also moved carefully, muscle chains that are tensed due to the injury are stretched, and fascial lines are smoothed out using deep techniques.

    As soon as the full load capacity is restored, muscles are actively built up to ensure stabilization in the leg and its structures. In addition to strength, coordination in and between the muscles is learned again, depth sensitivity is trained and a normal gait pattern is achieved. These exercises not only serve to regenerate and regain the old functions, but especially for athletes, they also protect against the occurrence of new injuries.