Initial Dx based on ER xrays. Ligament/cartilage damage to be determined. Note to self: never ski in crappy, icy conditions! Meeting with Ortho in the morning.
Need a thin cut CT for bony anatomy. Most likely will need orif if articular displacement.
Thanks for the insight. Orif?
Thanks for the insight. Orif?
Orif: Open Reduction Internal Fixation.
It means that you will likely need surgery to put a plate on your tibia in order to support the fracture and allow it to heal in the correct position.
This injury usually results in arthritis at some point in the future.
Thanks for the explanation. The ER doc had already mentioned the surgery just wasn’t familiar with the term. Glad I hadn’t registered for any races yet for this season. Throbbing like hell right now. Percocet not helping yet.
Really sorry 
(((((hugs)))))
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Thanks TC. Waiting for a call back for my ortho eval. Looks like surgery is in my immediate future.
CT scan in the next day or two. Surgery tentatively scheduled for next Tuesday. 6-8 weeks non-weight bearing.
my wife broke her left tibial plateau falling off her cruiser bike Dec 27th. she’s still on a walker and driving everyone(including herself) crazy.
surgery was jan 4th, she may be able to begin applying weight in two weeks, after the next check-up march 15. she is allowed to ‘dab’ for balance only.
her orthopedist(the one who did her ACL 11 yrs ago), looked at her ER x-rays and said, “Wow, this is going to be really cool, interesting surgery.
Too bad I won’t be doing it. I’m referring you to the head of Orthopedic Trauma surgery @ Cedars.” yikes.
at least her replacement ACL was still intact and undamaged.
we were told the minimum displacement for the reconstruction and installation of the metal support plate is typically 2mm, her displacement was
8mm and the plateau was, “in more than four pieces.” when pressed for how many, he refused to say anything but that.
Broke my tibial plateau and tore the ACL out of its insertion in 1997.
Was fixed with plate and 7 screws.
1998 was just getting my body going again.
1999 may have been my best cycling season ever- multiple wins, state champ tt and road, and some high national level finishes.
Had a horse fall on me and resulted in a broken tibial plateau fracture where the slab was displaced downwards. The dr drilled a hole through my tibia to then push the slab back up into position, and used a big-ass screw to fix it in place. 8 weeks non-weight bearing and some horrendously painful PT with a guy that could have a second career as an interegator at Gitmo. Ended up getting full range of motion back. That was 5 years ago. Just last summer I had them take out the screw because it was irritating my IT band. Feels awesome now. Zero pain. I am lucky that we have a lot of good ortho surgeons in town. Oh, and the horse that fell on me was dying from an aneurysm (or something similar), so I get to hear about how I’m too slow to outrun a dying horse.
I’m already bored of doing nothing on the couch and it’s been three days. My biggest concern is getting back to work. As a Chiropractor I need to be on my feet all day. Some great insights from everyone. I feel very comfortable with my surgeon as he is a US ski team doc. Sure he’s dealt with worse than mine. We’ll see tomorrow after my CT scan.
Bootsie and LoDewey- a few questions:
How old are you?
How has the injury affected your running?
I’m 42 and am hopeful this injury doesn’t mean the end of running for me. That said I don’t want to accelerate the degenerative process any faster than it will be anyway.
When I had this injury I was only 33 years old. However this injury never held me back. I was competive in national level cycling until about age 42. I only run as off-season/cross training. Tis injury did not affect my running either.
Let surgery fully heal, seek out the best PT you can find- even if you have to pay out of your own pocket.
remain positive- you will be fine.
Thanks for the positive feedback. This is the first really serious injury I’ve ever had put me out of commission for an extended period of time. I’m not afraid to put in the work during rehab.
Gotta be patient.
Also work on keeping flexible during non-weight bearing portion.
Some of the worst damage can be from imbalances that occur with
12 weeks on crutches.
Pelvis gets all twisted. Hip flexors tight and short.
I can definitely see the pelvis being an issue. Right SI is already sore from laying around and lugging the huge splint around. Thankfully my office is in a personal training gym with another chiropractor, massage therapists, MAT practitioners, and an acupuncturist. We also work closely with a great PT.
CT scan showed more damage than originally suspected. Compacted the articular surface 20mm. Surgery Monday by a trauma specialist to reconstruct the Tibial plateau. My knee just aged 25 years in one week!
Holy Pain Train!! Nerve block is wearing off- I can wiggle my toes but the pAin is unreal. On ST to try and distract myself until the pain meds kick in. Surgery was 18 hours ago. Momma
Stay on top of those meds…they give them to you for a reason. Good luck!!