Open fractures occur when the covering skin layer is breached by external force or the fracture fragment injuring from within.
Open fractures are very common occurrence in leg bones because the soft tissue envelopes are very thin around the bones especially tibia in its antero medial aspect.
A 20 year old young male was hit by a motorbike while he was attempting to cross the road. He presented to casualty with large wound over the middle third circumference of the leg.
The tibia and fibula were bared and comminuted fragments could be seen and there appeared a bone loss.
There appeared no neurovascular deficit.
The xray picture is as shown above.
The patient was treated with external fixation followed by soleus flap and skin graft.
After the wounds heal, patient would be treated by illizarov eternal fixation and bone lengthening to compensate the bone loss.
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Related posts:
- Xray of Malunited Fracture of Tibia and Fibula With Varus Angulation
- Anteroposterior and Lateral Xarys of Fracture Shaft of Tibia and Fibula
- Segmental Fracture Fibula With Fracture Tibia – Anteroposterior Xray
- Xray Of Comminuted Fracture of Upper End Of Tibia
- Xray of Comminuted Fracture of Upper End of Humerus
About Dr Arun Pal Singh
I have a question on how to speed bone healing. I had an external fracture of my tibia and fibula on November 28th, 2009. It has been about 2 months. UCLA put a titanium rod with 4 screws (2 below the knee and 2 above the foot) to stabilize. So far we are seeing no fracture healing so I am not allowed to put weight on the leg yet.
What can I do to help the circulation of this fracture which should increase the healing process? Dr just told me time and elevation. Is there anything else I can do?
Dr Arun Pal Singh Reply:
January 28th, 2010 at 7:42 am
@Michael,
Unfortunately, you cannot force your bone to heal faster.
Joint movement around the fracture is encouraged [Consult your doctor before doing it], to increase circulation of the bone.
But as such there is nothing like faster or speed bone healing, at least till now.
Thank you
I can move my knee and foot….just cannot put weight on my leg.
I take calcium liquid and eat lots of protein. I guess there is not much more I can do to speed things along. I just get impatient…
Dr Arun Pal Singh Reply:
January 28th, 2010 at 9:09 am
@Michael,
I can understand. Injury limits the activity.
But healing takes time. All the best.
I fractured my right foot and had an open fracture of my fibula and tibia in my left leg in Turkey, which required pinning from the knee to the ankle, I had no insurance!! however, I am so pleased to have my legs…. Anyway I am now on my 11th week and although there has been progress it is very slow… I expected to be ok after about 6 to 8 weeks; I am still in a brace for my left leg and still not driving… Anyone else in the same situation??? Trying not to get down.. hubbie does not see the dirt in the house like me!! Must add though, I am a School Bursar at a Special School and did not have a day off!! But…. due to the Ash I did have an extra 2 weeks off! Due to my injuries my husband had to come over to Turkey and look after me and we had to book 2 extra seats for my legs!! Am I ever going to walk normally??
Dr Arun Pal Singh Reply:
July 4th, 2010 at 6:52 am
@June White,
Usually 6-8 weeks time is for bone to unite. The coming back to normal self takes much longer. Even the bone might take longer time to unite in some cases.