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*
Hello, I had a fall when I was skiing on Dec 29/15. I kne I did something to my knee but was able to weight bear. I had quit a bit of pain and instant swelling. I went to emergency and was told that I sprained my mcl and more than likely tore my meniscus. When I got home I went to my doc who agreed with the emergency Doctor. She started me with physio and sent me for an ultrasound. Ultrasound confirmed the mcl tear but could not see the meniscus so I was sent for an mri. It has now been almost 2 months and I just got the mri results. I have a ruptured acl, strained mcl, and a fractured tibia plateau. My doctor is waiting to hear back from a surgeon to see what our next step should be. I have lots of questions such as can they do any thing now that it has been so long, should I continue physio, should I walk on it, should I be wearing a brace? Lots of questions but so far no answers! Any opinions should be greatly appreciated. Thanks! Erin
Erin- what was your outcome?
Hi,
I’m a complete newbie here and found a lot of answers to my questions here. My story in short: I too broke my tibia plateau on 2nd Feb 2016 same as Lindsay on the slopes. I do hope to be able to ski again though.
My operation is scheduled for next Monday and I’m really nervous. Can anyone give me any advice on what to expect after the operation. Is it going to be very painful and for how long? Am I going to be bed bound or things get much better after the operation.
Thank you and good luck to all of you in your path of recovery!
Dear Katya,
When they tell you it’s a tibial plateau fracture, be prepared for bad news. You will not be able to walk for 13 weeks. It’s a bad break, there is no sugar coating. I am now almost 6 months out from when I fell on my stairs. 3 weeks away from home, one week in the hospital after surgery, 2 weeks in a rehab center(Which was an absolute nightmare). You have to be strong, emotionally it is more than the pain. Do all the rehab and exercises they tell you. I am now walking with and with out crutches. Every day seems to be just a fraction better. This is a long road to regain walking. They tell me it will be a full year before I will feel like I’m better. It’s been real tough. I found this site and it’s been good to know that I was not the only person going through this. I wish you the best! Be strong! It seems like such a long road.
Katya – sorry u have a TPF injury. I spent 4 mos. on crutches. The first few weeks is the hardest as you r in much pain from surgery and trying to adapt to not being able to return to ur usual routine. It really helps if u have someone at home w you to help. Just be patient & do what the dr says. Do the exercises, eat right, dont gain weight – it’s harder on your joints. Try to b emotionally strong – it takes awhile to heal.
F. Did you have surgery? Those 4 weeks on crutches did you bear any weight on the leg. I was told as little as possible and I use crutches to get around the house to bed and restroom and wheelchair for long ventures but when I use crutches, I still bear some weight in leg.
I have gone through tibia fracture surgery and inserted rod inside it.
But not recovering fast im worried that whether i should walk properly or not
Hi Katya, first off- you will need help once you leave the hospital. Really ‘ hands on’ help! Pain meds can effect your balance, you will be on crutches, and lose the use of your hands. Everything will change for you, people around you must understand this. NWB can last up to 3-4 months. Simple tasks, will become very difficult and you must learn to let go, be patient, find ways to adapt. You’ll need a chair in the shower. Also if you live with stairs in you’re home, consider moving to another area ( like down stairs ) during this period. Buy bags of ice if your ice maker can’t keep up. Eat well, high protein, lots of fresh fruit & veg, low fat dairy. Stay away from junk food, suger, carbonated soda, alcohol. You don’t want to gain weight during this NWB time. And do move, get up and ‘crutch’, it’s good upper body work, good for your circulation, but could be hard on you’re hands so wear bike gloves. You will be sore at first, keep your leg elevated ( no brace on ) and iced your knee the first week after surgery, move slowly and carefully. I hope it all works out for you. This is a long haul injury, keep positive.
Kata, b.
I can share my story so you know what to expect, I too hope to get back to skiing again but you do have a long road to recovery ahead of you! I am 11 months down the line after my break and I promise it does get better! Here is my story so far…
I fractured my TP on 4 th April 2015 skiing in Andorra.
I had an immediate operation to put in a metal plate and 7 screws.
After the operation my leg was in an adjustable brace to stop my knee from bending more than about 20 degrees, although they did adjust this after 6 weeks to enable more bend.
I was not allowed to put any weight on my leg until the first week in July, so was on crutches for a total of 13 weeks. The worst part of this was the simple things like not being able to get in and out of the shower and I didn’t want to chance slipping! I also missed out on family life and became very lonley, I couldn’t and wouldn’t expect my family to put their lives in hold for me. It’s VERY important that you mange your pain, please do not shy away from taking the drugs your doctor prescribes. However just as important is looking after your phycological wellbeing. I didn’t take enough care over this and It did and still is affecting me quite negatively. Make sure you get as much human interaction as you can and don’t be a martyr…. Let your friends come round, chat to people over the phone, use the time to call those people you haven’t spoken too for a while.
Once I was allowed to walk again in July it was very stiff, fragile and frustrating for at least 3 months. I was allowed to drive again early August but It wasn’t until the end early October that I was really walking anything like freely again, so 7 months after the accident. At this point I was able to get back to the gym and this really helped both physically and emotionally. I quickly started to get stronger but do be praprred for massive muscle loss! It takes time and patience; it wasnt until December that I could really walk up and down stairs properly and in January I started to really be able to ramp up my training again.
That brings us to the present, Feb 2016, 11 months in. I am walking around without a limp and climbing stairs without to much aggravation, working out at the gym using the stepping machine, cycling and using the weights. There is no way that I could contemplate skiing yet but I have made massive progress and I can see that with time I should be able to get back on my skis.
It is a long road but it does get better!
Hope this helps, take care of yourself and I hope to see you on the piste! X
I
I had a tibia plateau accident skiing last year at this time. I was operated the afternoon after my injury. Once you have surgery your really not in a lot of pain. Only when you start physical therapy, usually right away. They will give you a machine to keep your leg mobilized. You start off once a day for 15 minutes to 1/2 hour. Then you gradually do it more and more. I really didn’t feel much pain only when you first start doing it. Because your stiff…. Anyway, you have to put your mind in another place. There is alot of sitting around time. Very annoying but you need to train your brain to have a schedule. Get up, eat breakfast, do your machine, go check emails, watch the news, get a good book and start reading about your health, then do brain puzzles. Switch your chair where you are sitting, go into another room, have some fruit, look out your window and watch the birds and the grass and the buds on the trees. You really start to appreciate being able to get around. Go back to your other room, It’s time to watch a show, or a series your into, now its about 1 o’clock, have your lunch, get on the phone and talk to someone, now it is 3 o’clock time to do a brain game again, 5 o’clock get on phone and talk to someone, 6 o’clock dinner time. Usually people are home, hopefully in your situation. Anyway it’s good to have a schedule, it makes your days go quicker and helps with your psych. I became very spiritual at this time, I started to pray for others who needed prayers, thats all I could do. This got me through 16 weeks, which is 4 months. I know a schedule helps, because you think about other things then…. Good luck, I will pray for you that you get through your days with out being depressed. your leg will get better, it’s just very hard on your psych, so be prepared….. God bless you….
Mary. What a great post! This mimics my recovery. 23 months out now. For me, I look back on my time of recovery with gratitude. It was a forced time of communing with God in prayer and listening. It was a time to humble myself and count on others for help. I am grateful for the experience.
Hi. I suffered a type 2 tibial plateau fracture whilst skiing on 11th January. First and last time skiing I think! I had a bone graft, plate and 6 screws on 16th January and will be NWB for another 3 weeks. How long realistically will it be till I can run again (was meant to be. Running the London marathon!)? I work in a hospital and I’m on my feet all the time. How long in people’s experience will I be off work. I have my first physic session tomorrow, so at least I’ll feel like I’m doing something towards my recovery.
Lindsay,
I am sorry to say that you probably will be nwb for up to 13 weeks.
I am 11 months into my recovery after my TP break skiing in Anddora and although I am walking and climbing stairs freely there us no way that I could think about running.
Even the thought of it makes me feel sick. Every break is different but I am coming to understand and believe that what the doctor is telling me is true, which is I will never be able to run for sport or exercise ever again.
I hope your not in the same position, you need to work closely with your doctor.
I am 1 yr in 3 months no weight i cant run or jog yet and i was a runner i cant surf i loved surfing with the family it still hurts all the time i was a soccer coach not no more i cant kick a ball more than 15 ft it stinks but hopefully it gets better i broke tibia plat and fib and tore acl mcl i hope you have better luck than me and i had a great dr and theropy crew i get shots ev 3 months and feel ok for a month good luck
Hi Jason. Did I read right. Are you a year and 3 months after injury? I’m a year and 5 months. Also tore my acl and mcl. Didn’t brake my fibia like you though, but had tipe 6 tpf. 15 screws and 4 plates. I did triathlons and surf to. My injury happened on downhill mtb.
I’m starting to run only now. It’s painfull, but I can do a mile. Surfing is hard. Managed to surf after 6 months, but it’s like Being a cook again. I have to swing my leg round my arms, for the pop up. Haven’t got the range of movement in my left leg. Only about 100*. Gutted about it too. But my consultant and phisio didn’t think ill get past 80*. Keep trying and swim loads. Building up the muscle takes sooo long! I’ve only got half the strength in my bad leg at the moment! Regards lee
Hey lee
I had a fracture and dislocation of the knee. My femur tibia and patella were basically shattered. On top of that it was an open injury so there was significant loss of tissue. My extensor mechanism was avulsed at the tibia. I have 15 screws and some wires and an external fixator for tibia. I am currently 13 weeks post the surgery and have 70 degrees flexion and its getting increasingly difficuilt to gain any more flexion. 100 degrees is quite a bit even my surgeon said if i get 90 it would be surprising. I wanted to know what were your stages of gaining flexion rom and also when did you start putting weight. I have been advised not to put weight for another 12 weeks. My surgeon had fixed extensor mechanism and i can extend my knee fully. He said repairing or reconstructing my torn ligaments is impossible at the moment. I gotta wait for another 3 months to see some real bone healing. I used to play soccer regularly but i dont expect i will be able to in the near future. Do you still have to exercise daily? And how is the knee pain compared to initial stages. I really had no option but to exercise through the pain ( cpm and fracture pain) but it has reduced significantly over last month. I can feel my bones grinding against each other and its somewhat a detterant to stop me from really pushing myself to gain back wasted muscle. I also ocassionally take painkillers before exercising, wanted to know if its okay to do that.
Cheers man! Hope you get well soon and gain the rom goal you have set
Hi Susan. Thank you for that information. I do want to heal as quickly and as healthy as possible. I was able to find some exercises that I can start on while I wait for my next appointment.
Tarina – There are a couple of sites if you google, knee strengthening exercises. Here’s one that I have turned to & found in the beginning (during NWB phase even) that the stretching was very helpful.
http://www.webmd.com/pain-management/knee-pain/ss/slideshow-knee-exercises
Per your specific injury, hopefully you can find a few that work for you & that your doctor approves of. If you haven’t done so, it is important to deeply massage the tissue, tendons & muscles around, on your injury – deep tissue massage will expedite your healing, prevent blood clots & is also comforting when your leg feels stiff / sore. I trimmed my finger nails very short and used an olive oil mixed w lavender oil & deeply massaged my TPF leg 2 to 3 x’s a day for months. I was 4 mos. NWB and have been walking since the end of July 2015. My leg is still stiff and sore, but I find stretching and walking everyday helps. Look up some Yoga stretching exercises, these helped me a lot. Good luck and get well / heal soon 🙂
Does anyone have any video links to start physical therapy . I’m 4 1/2 weeks post op. I’ve been reading about scar tissue building up, causing limited Range of Motion. I’m having a hard time getting my doctors to refer me to pt. Please help . Thank you. If no video, I hope there are exercises I can follow somewhere.
Yes, please see the facebook page referenced above…they have lots of PT exercises you can access. If not that, then google the injury/PT exercises. Failing that, get into a pool and do a lot of swimming, or any other sport that you used to do…anything you do everyday will help…like Yoga for instance. I did PT and it didn’t help that much. The best you can do is to push it every day, and do some exercise that uses ALL your muscles…like walking. Keep it up and you will see gradual results. Nothing is fast with this injury. Good luck!
Hi all,
I’m post op 16 weeks and although I can walk without any aids, it still feels like a massive struggle. I can’t do any sort of distance and walk with a limp still.
When does the limp go and when will I be able to walk further than a few streets?
I also can’t lift my leg up straight as my muscles still haven’t started to come back, but my ROM is back to normal.
Hi Karen, I am following up regarding our conversation a month ago. Thank you for helping me going throughout this ordeal. Our case is quite similar.
I now feeling much better, using a cane, and even start driving a little. I got my life back, working from home, 8 hr/ day 5 d a week, thanks to my son’s help and his fiancé . There noting like family, no friends when you are sick! But I am so grateful . I hope you are doing good.
Happy Holidays,
Kay
It is normal to have them swallowed , you need to put some ice on them, and keep them elevated as much as you can. You need to see with your PT what kind of p therapy you need. Exercise helps me a lot. I do it on my own every day, even though I am setting 8 hr a day working fr home. I am I my 8 weeks, and I am using a cane, I even drove my car yesterday! Be patient, all will be fine. Kay
Definitely expect it. I’m 6 months post accident & still have some on occasion. Also great barometer!????
Merry Christmas!????
Happy Christmas everyone!
Do any of you have swollen knee/foot/ankle and if so is this normal when you start partial weight bearing?
My knee feels so tight when I bend it! Will this feeling lessen in time?
Would be good to know if anyone else experiences this.
After 8 weeks , I can finally use a cane. I can’t wait to be independante . I have been like in prison for so long ! I hope getting back to normal in couple weeks . When I force myself, I have a sharp pain in my knee. But goes away after taking Tylenol. Hopping for better life. Kay
10th week since my accident (I was knocked down by a car) and I’ve had my first physio session this week. I can now ‘walk’ using my zimmer putting both feet on the ground! My right foot – toes only. I have to keep my brace on whilst doing this. It’s not painful but neither is it entirely pain free – feels weird! Physio is coming back in two days – might be able to try without the brace by then. Feel as though I’m getting somewhere at last, though I know it’s going to be a long time before I’m fully independent.
Hi. Try to get a scan or X-ray. If you have metal work it could be that the screws are invected. Happens now and then. A friend of mine healed good and after a year it got worse. That was the case. Or it could be that you damaged your cartlidge. I’m post op 15 months and my knee hurts every day. Haven’t got much cartlidge left from the impact on my accident. Can’t run now, to much pain. Good luck
It’s been almost 8 weeks since my tpf. I had an X-ray 2 weeks ago. Dr said I can take braces off at night. Actually, I put them at night, bec during the day I know where I put my leg. I am now PBW , I use more a can now, but I still use the walker and WC to seat at my desk to work. I do work at home 8 hr/ day, I try to get up and stretch, but still I have kind of swallow ankle, bec I don’t exercise. I call walk with he cane, but I am just afraid to do too much. I have a physical therapist who come to help me twice a week, but I need to go to my physical therapist as soon as I can drive. I don’t know when. I have a member of my family who cheeks on me twice a week( I am a wodow, and I have only 1 son). But most of the time I am isolated, working hard to pay my bills. But I have hope to go back to normal. I am very active woman, and I hope I can be the same . I am scared to fall again, it’s true, but I need to get over this fear.
Anyone can help?
Thank you,
Kay