How long will it take to walk after a comminuted fracture of the tibia?

Written by Li Jin
Orthopedics
Updated on September 21, 2024
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The decision on when to walk depends on the recovery status of the fracture. Generally, a tibial fracture requires about 4-6 weeks of rest. Around 4-6 weeks, you can revisit the hospital for an X-ray checkup. If the callus is growing well, and the fracture line is blurred or disappeared, you can start using crutches to walk and perform functional exercises.

However, recovery from a comminuted fracture takes longer, so an X-ray examination is essential before starting to walk. If the examination results show good recovery, then you can start walking. If you walk too early, it may interfere with the fracture healing, and in severe cases, it might even cause the fracture to break again.

Therefore, the time it takes for someone with a comminuted tibial fracture to walk depends on the specific circumstances, and an X-ray examination must be performed before walking.

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Will a comminuted patella fracture cause limping?

Patellar comminuted fractures, as long as treated promptly and correctly, and if the surgery poses no issues, generally heal in about six months, thereby not causing any significant impact. Thus, there's no need to worry about limping. Limping usually means that when walking, one leg appears longer than the other. Under what circumstances can limping occur? If the difference in leg length is within one centimeter, it's imperceptible and won't have any effect. If the difference exceeds two centimeters, then there is a noticeable tilt in the lower limbs, and only then can limping be observed during walking; however, even if limping occurs, it is not severe. It just means that while walking, there is a tilt towards the shorter side. After treatment, patellar comminuted fractures have a complete chance of healing and once healed properly, it's almost like before the injury. Even in severe cases where the fracture is critically fragmented and requires removal, even without patellar replacement, by reinforcing the patellar tendon, it typically does not result in limping. It only impacts the strength in knee extension, possibly creating a mild impediment compared to the other side, and might make walking appear slightly abnormal, but it definitely does not lead to limping. Hence, patellar comminuted fractures do not result in limping.

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Is a comminuted fracture of the iliac bone serious?

Iliac fractures are assessed based on the severity of the fracture. Generally, there are two types of iliac fractures. The first type is a linear fracture. If this linear fracture does not involve the joint surface and is a simple, non-severe linear fracture, a plaster cast can be sufficient for complete recovery, usually within about two months. The second type is a comminuted fracture, where the fracture ends affect the joint surface; in such cases, surgical treatment may be required to restore the smoothness of the joint and stabilize the fracture pieces, with a recovery time generally ranging from two to three months. Therefore, a comminuted patellar fracture is generally very serious and typically requires surgery. This is because comminuted patellar fractures are likely to lead to the most common form of post-traumatic arthritis, resulting in pain during activity later on.

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Is a comminuted fracture of the hip bone serious?

The answer is definitely yes. A comminuted fracture of the hip bone can affect the stability of the pelvic ring, thus absolute bed rest is necessary, and surgical treatment may be needed when required. Especially in middle-aged and elderly people, early ambulation after surgery can help avoid various complications that can arise from prolonged bed rest, such as three to six months, or even more than half a year, which could exacerbate complications in the elderly and even be life-threatening. Therefore, comminuted fractures of the hip are relatively severe and require active surgical treatment. Post-surgery, appropriate bed rest is also needed, and it is advisable to use a pulsating air mattress to prevent potential complications like pressure sores, and appropriate body massages should be performed to prevent the occurrence of lower limb venous thrombosis. Additionally, turning and patting on the back should be performed to prevent dependent lung pneumonia.

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Will a comminuted fracture of the tibia cause limping?

If a comminuted tibial fracture is treated correctly, with proper alignment and the shortening kept within one centimeter, limping will absolutely not occur. The reason for limping after surgery for a comminuted fracture is due to unequal leg lengths. There are many reasons for differences in leg length, but no matter the cause, if the difference is less than 1 centimeter, a person will absolutely not limp. However, if it is less than two centimeters, or more, it then becomes apparent that one leg is longer and the other shorter, resulting in a limp. Therefore, for comminuted fractures, whether it is of the tibia, femur, or another bone, as long as the alignment is properly maintained and the shortening is controlled to within 1 centimeter, postoperative recovery will be very good, without any limping.

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How long will it take for a comminuted ankle fracture to heal?

Hello! You're asking how long it takes for a comminuted ankle fracture to heal. Generally, the healing time for a comminuted fracture in the ankle is about three months. Depending on your specific condition, you may need to have an X-ray to confirm if your ankle fracture has achieved bony union. If bony union has been achieved, you can then appropriately begin weight-bearing activities to promote blood circulation in the lower limbs and restore joint mobility. However, if the X-ray shows that bony union has not been achieved, it is absolutely crucial not to bear weight. Premature weight-bearing can cause the fracture ends to break again and shift, potentially necessitating a second surgery. So, generally speaking, the healing time for non-comminuted ankle fractures is also about three months, but it is essential to check the final X-ray to see if the fracture has healed.