Overview

The lower leg is made up of two bones: the tibia and fibula. The tibia, also commonly known as the shin bone, is the larger of the two bone.

A fracture of the lower leg (Tibia) will be severely painful and your child may have be unable to walk or put weight on the leg. If the fracture is severe, the leg may appear an odd shape and the bone may protrude under or through the skin.

tibial_childrens_fracture

What to Do

If you think a child has broken their tibia, go immediately to your nearest accident and emergency (A&E) department. Call 999 for an ambulance if the injury seems severe or you’re not able to get to A&E quickly.

While you make your way to A&E or wait for an ambulance:

  • avoid moving the injured leg as much as possible – keep it straight and put a cushion or clothing underneath to support it
  • don’t try to realign any bones that are out of place
  • cover any open wounds with a sterile dressing, a clean cloth or a clean item of clothing – maintain direct pressure on the wound if it keeps bleeding
  • KEEP THE CHILD FASTING (No food or Drink)
  • Where possible try to get someone else to drive so you can support and comfort your child en route to the hospital.
On arrival in the emergency department the child will be given pain relief and the leg will be x-rayed and usually put in a plaster or Paris cast. The cast is typically split open minimally once dry to allow the leg room to swell. Children are then commonly admitted to hospital for a period of observation if there is a concern the leg could swell significantly.

Care Advice During Recovery

A minor fracture can take 6 to 8 weeks to heal, more severe fractures can take 3 months or longer to heal. Follow-up at the fracture clinic will typical continue until the medical team are satisfied the fracture has healed and there is no evidence of injury to the growth plate.

You’ll be given advice by your doctor about how much your child should move the leg and when and how much weight they can put on it. Tip – If the doctor tells you they can put only half their weight on the injured leg, then use bathroom scales to test their weight. Start by gently pressing down until the scales reach half of their current weight.

Your child may require crutches or a wheelchair during this time, until it’s possible to put weight on the leg again. You’ll be shown how to safely use any mobility equipment you’re provided with.

The hospital may recommend regular physiotherapy appointments to help you maintain or regain muscle strength, movement and flexibility. This will include specific exercises to do before and after the cast is removed. Don’t try to rush the recovery by returning to your normal activities too quickly, as the broken bone may not be fully healed even when the pain has gone.

Follow the advice of your doctor, who’ll probably recommend gradually increasing how much you use your leg over time. Please seek advice from your doctor about when it is safe to return to sport and other higher risk activities like gymnastics or cycling etc.