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Fracture, Tibia and Fibula
Updated: Oct 1, 2009
Introduction
Background
Lower leg fractures include fractures of the tibia and fibula. Of these two bones, the tibia is the only weightbearing bone. Fractures of the tibia generally are associated with fibula fracture, because the force is transmitted along the interosseous membrane to the fibula.
The skin and subcutaneous tissue are very thin over the anterior and medial tibia and as a result of this, a significant number of fractures to the lower leg are open. Even in closed fractures, the thin, soft tissue can become compromised. In contrast, the fibula is well covered by soft tissue over most of its course with the exception of the lateral malleolus.
The tibia and fibula articulate at the proximal tibia-fibular syndesmosis.
Fractures of the tibia can involve the tibial plateau, tibial tubercle, tibial eminence, proximal tibia, tibial shaft, and tibial plafond.
Shown is an intra-articular fracture of the medial condyle of the tibial plateau.
For more information, see Medscape's Trauma Resource Center.
Frequency
United States
Fractures of the tibia are the most common long bone fractures. The annual incidence of open fractures of long bones is estimated to be 11.5 per 100,000 persons, with 40% occurring in the lower limb.1 The most common fracture of the lower limb occurs at the tibial diaphysis.2 Isolated midshaft or proximal fibula fractures are uncommon.
Mortality/Morbidity
- Limb loss may occur as a result of severe soft-tissue trauma, neurovascular compromise, popliteal artery injury, compartment syndrome, or infection such as gangrene or osteomyelitis. Popliteal artery injury is a particularly serious injury that threatens the limb and is easily overlooked.
- The common peroneal nerve crosses the fibular neck. This nerve is susceptible to injury from a fibular neck fracture, the pressure of a splint, or during surgical repair. This can result in foot drop and sensation abnormalities.
- Delayed union, nonunion, and arthritis may occur. Among the long bones, the tibia is the most common site of fracture nonunion.
Age
Toddler fracture (distal spiral fracture of the tibia) is most common in children aged 9 months to 3 years.
Clinical
History
- Mechanisms of injury for tibia-fibula fractures can be divided into 2 categories:
- Low-energy injuries such as ground levels falls and athletic injuries
- High-energy injuries such as motor vehicle injuries, pedestrians struck by motor vehicles, and gunshot wounds
- Patient may report a history of direct (motor vehicle crash or axial loading) or indirect (twisting) trauma.
- Patient may complain of pain, swelling, and inability to ambulate with tibia fracture.
- Ambulation is possible with isolated fibula fracture.
- Tibial plateau fractures occur from axial loading with valgus or varus forces, such as in a fall from a height or collision with the bumper of a car. The lateral tibial plateau is fractured more frequently than the medial plateau.
- Tibial tubercle fractures usually occur during jumping activities such as basketball, diving, football, and gymnastics. This type of fracture is more common in adolescents than in adults.
- Tibial eminence fractures occur with trauma to the distal femur while the knee is flexed such as falling off of a bicycle. Another mechanism for this fracture is hyperextension. Tibial eminence avulsion fractures occur most often in children aged 8-14 years but can occur in a skeletally mature patient.
- Tibial shaft fractures usually present with a history of major trauma. An exception to this is a toddler's fracture, which is a spiral fracture that occurs with minor trauma in children who are learning to walk.
- Tibial plafond fractures refer to fractures involving the weightbearing surface of the distal tibia. This type of injury usually results from high-energy axial loading but may result from lower-energy rotation forces.
- Maisonneuve fractures are rare and considered unstable ankle injuries. This type of injury usually involves a pronation-external rotation force.
- Stress fractures of the tibia and fibula may occur as a result of repetitive submaximal stresses that may occur while participating in athletics. The history may reveal some change in training routine.
Physical
- When examining a patient for a lower leg fracture one should first examine the patient for edema, ecchymosis, and point tenderness. Gross deformities should be noted and splinted. A careful neurovascular assessment should be performed, and an emergent fracture reduction should be performed if neurovascular deficits are present.
- A careful examination should be performed for open wounds. Open fractures require antibiotics and an emergent orthopedic consultation.
- Tibial plateau fractures often present with a knee effusion. Tenderness will be present along the medial or lateral tibial plateau. Approximately 20% of tibial plateau fractures are associated with ligamentous injuries.
Tibial plateau fractures. Line drawings of Schatzker types I, II, and III tibial plateau fractures. Type I consists of a wedge fracture of the lateral tibial plateau, produced by low-force injuries. Type II combines the wedge fracture of the lateral plateau with depression of the lateral plateau. Type III fractures are classified as those with depression of the lateral plateau but no associated wedge fracture.
Tibial plateau fractures. Line drawings of Schatzker types IV, V, and VI tibial plateau fractures. Type IV is similar to type I fracture, except that it involves the medial tibial plateau as opposed to the lateral plateau. Greater force is required to produce this type of injury. Type V fractures are termed bicondylar and demonstrate wedge fractures of both the medial and lateral tibial plateaus. Finally, type VI fractures consist of a type V fracture along with a fracture of the underlying diaphysis and/or metaphysis.
- Tibial tubercle fracture will have tenderness over the anterior tibia approximately 3 cm distal to the articular surface. In more severe tibial tubercle fractures, full extension of the knee is not possible. The patella may be high riding.
- Tibial eminence fracture may present with a knee effusion and pain and may represent an avulsion of the tibial attachment of the anterior cruciate ligament.
- Tibial shaft fractures are the most common long bone fracture and usually involve the fibula as well. Tibial fractures present with localized pain, swelling, and deformity.
- Maisonneuve fractures involve a fracture of the proximal fibula in association with a fractured medial malleolus (or injured deltoid ligament) and diastasis of the distal tibiofibular syndesmosis. Patients present with proximal fibular pain in addition to medial ankle pain. This is an unstable ankle injury.
- Tibial plafond fractures will have tenderness along the distal tibial and may have severely decreased range of motion in the ankle.
Causes
- Direct forces such as those caused by falls and MVCs
- Indirect or rotational forces
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Further Reading
Keywords
lower leg fracture, broken leg, long bone fracture, popliteal artery injury, compartment syndrome, gangrene, osteomyelitis, injury to the peroneal nerve, foot drop, delayed union, fracture nonunion, arthritis, toddler fracture, distal spiral fracture of tibia
