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Introduction
A broken leg
is one of the
most common
injuries in
contact sports
such as rugby.
The fracture
can either be
caused by a
direct hit to
the leg or a
twisted force
when the foot
is fixed.
There are two
bones that comprise
the leg. The
tibia is the
shin bone and
this bears the
majority of
weight during
weight bearing.
The smaller
bone is the
fibula which
is located on
the outside
of the lower
leg.
Tibial fractures
are either classified
as closed fractures
or open fractures.
A closed fracture
refers to a
break where
the skin is
not broken and
an open fracture
is when the
bone breaks
through the
skin. All Tibial
fractures are
medical emergencies
and prompt hospital
treatment should
be sought. X-Rays
will be required.
X-Ray
of broken tibula
with screw fixation
surgery
Broken
Leg Signs &
Symptoms
Needless to
say the player
will be lying
on the floor
in excruciating
pain. If it
is an open fracture
there will be
substantial
bleeding. With
a closed fracture
there will be
immediate swelling
and discoloration.
Broken
Leg Treatment
Treatment options
are largely
dependent upon
the type of
fracture. With
a closed fracture
that has the
two fragments
of bone to be
in close proximity,
a surgeon will
operate to bring
the fragments
as close as
possible. This
is then followed
by a plaster
cast to immobilize
the leg.
The usual healing
time for a mid-shaft
Tibia and Fibula
fracture treated
with cast immobilization
is 12
to 16 weeks.
This is followed
by rehabilitation
with a Physiotherapist
to restore muscle
strength lost
during immobilization
and the range
of movement
of the ankle
and knee. In
some cases the
orthopaedic
doctor may allow
the use of a
removable plastic
leg cast instead
of a plaster
cast.
Plastic cast
walkers are
removable which
enables a physiotherapist
to do regular
gentle exercises
The other benefit
when comparing
to the conventional
plaster casts
is that you
can wash the
affected leg
and foot making
it a more hygienic
option. Most
plastic casts
have rocker
soles which
means that as
long as the
doctor says
it's safe to
do so you can
begin to walk
gently and possibly
with a walking
stick.
Where the injury
is caused by
a direct blow
from a tackle
the fragments
of bone are
usually splintered
and displaced
which means
it is an open
fracture. In
these circumstances
the orthopaedic
consultant may
choose to fix
the fracture
surgically.
This can be
done using a
plate and screw
method, a large
nail down the
centre of the
bone, or what
is known as
an external
fixator - a
frame around
the leg that
is screwed into
the bone. These
surgical techniques
will allow the
rugby player
to begin rehabilitation
earlier and
prevent excessive
joint stiffness
or muscle wastage
that occurs
during long
periods of immobilization.
When the fracture
is healing the
doctors will
give the go
ahead for physiotherapy
. Hydrotherapy
exercises are
very helpful
in regaining
ankle range
of movement.
Non weight bearing
exercises, such
as pool running
using a buoyancy
belt, also allow
the user to
regain fitness.
Manual therapy
with the physio
can help to
restore normal
ankle movement
if there is
any stiffness.
What
you can do
- Consult
a sports injury
expert
- Use a buoyancy
aid for pool
fitness exercises
- Wear a removable
light-weight
plastic walker
instead of
a plaster
cast
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