Does a mildly displaced fracture require surgery?

Does a mildly displaced fracture require surgery?

Displaced fractures will likely require surgery because the bones are unstable while nondisplaced fractures normally only need to be immobilized in a cast for six weeks to properly heal. Both treatment options require physical therapy to regain strength and full range of motion, and prevent joint stiffness.

What is a displaced tibial fracture?

Displaced, noncomminuted: A fracture where the bones are broken in no more than two pieces (noncomminuted) but are not aligned. This is an isolated fracture of the tibia with an intact fibula. It’s the most common tibial shaft fracture. It is caused by a rotational or twisting force such as a sports injury or a fall.

How long do tibial fractures take to heal?

Most tibial shaft fractures take 4 to 6 months to heal completely. Some take even longer, especially if the fracture was open or broken into several pieces or if the patients uses tobacco products.

What is the best treatment for a fractured tibia?

Treatment options for tibial fractures can include:

• Immobilization. A splint, sling, or cast that helps keep the bones in place while it gets better.
• Traction. Traction is a method of stretching your leg so that it can stay straight.
• Surgery. Surgery may be needed to fix a broken tibia.
• Physical therapy.

How long does a minimally displaced fracture take to heal?

Most fractures heal in 6-8 weeks, but this varies tremendously from bone to bone and in each person based on many of the factors discussed above. Hand and wrist fractures often heal in 4-6 weeks whereas a tibia fracture may take 20 weeks or more.

What does minimally displaced fracture mean?

Minimally displaced: where there is a slight shift in the position, usually not significant. Displaced: where the bone has significantly shifted, the degree of which is described in percentages. Depression: an intra-articular (joint) fracture which has been pushed out of alignment with the bone.

Can a displaced fracture heal on its own?

Bones are very flexible and can withstand a lot of physical force. However, if the force is too great, bones can break. A broken bone or fracture can repair itself, provided that the conditions are right for the break to heal completely.

Will a displaced fracture heal itself?

Even broken bones that don’t line up (called displaced) often will heal straight over time. Sometimes the displaced bones need to be put back in place before the cast, splint, or brace is put on.

What is the treatment for a displaced fracture?

If you have a displaced fracture, the care team may need to move the pieces of bone back into their proper positions before applying a splint — a process called reduction. Some fractures are splinted at first to allow swelling to subside. A cast is then used once there is less swelling.

How long does a displaced fracture take to heal?

Most fractures heal in 6-8 weeks, but this varies tremendously from bone to bone and in each person based on many of the factors discussed above. Hand and wrist fractures often heal in 4-6 weeks whereas a tibia fracture may take 20 weeks or more. Healing time for fractures are divided into three phases: 1.

Can you walk on a tibial fracture?

Can you still walk with a fractured tibia? In most cases, the answer is no. Walking after a tibia fracture can make your injury worse and may cause further damage to the surrounding muscles, ligaments and skin. Walking on a fractured tibia is also likely to be extremely painful.