Tibial Plateau Fracture Treatment: What to Expect

It doesn’t take much for some injuries to occur. For example, accidentally placing a foot in the wrong spot while walking can easily cause a sprained ankle.

On the other hand, some injuries only result from significant trauma. A tibial plateau fracture is such an injury — it usually requires a car accident, fall, or sports injury.

Our team at Austin Foot & Ankle Institute has experience treating these types of injuries. Here’s what you can expect.

What’s a tibial plateau fracture?

The tibial plateau is the top part of your tibia (shinbone). It’s a flat surface that forms the bottom part of your knee joint. 

The plateau is smooth and covered in cartilage, helping your knee bend and absorb shock as you walk, jump, and run. Ligaments, muscles, nerves, and blood vessels are also present.

A tibial plateau fracture means there’s a crack or break in this area of the tibia. (This injury accounts for about 1% of all fractures.) The bone can crack slightly or shatter into many pieces depending on the severity of the injury. 

Symptoms of a fracture include pain, difficulty bearing weight, swelling, and pale skin due to decreased blood flow. In severe cases, the bone may even jut through the skin. The injury may also damage the ligaments, muscles, and nerves around the tibia.

What does treatment look like?

If you have a possible tibial plateau fracture, Dr. Pedro Cosculluela performs a physical exam of the area and likely orders imaging to get a good perspective on the injury.

Your treatment depends on the location and severity of the fracture. If the break is small and the bone is still well-aligned, you may avoid surgery. In such cases, you must rest, elevate your leg, and wear a splint to keep it immobile. You also likely need pain medication while it heals.

We recommend nonsurgical treatment for patients in poor overall health, those with chronically infected skin, and those who may not be active.

If the break causes bone misalignment or instability, you likely need orthopedic surgery. In many cases, Dr. Cosculluela uses pins, screws, and plates to realign your bone in the correct position as your body heals.

What’s recovery like?

Most people with a tibial plateau fracture recover well. You’re comfortable by about six weeks after surgery. It takes up to four months before we clear you for full activity. Take your recovery seriously; bones that heal unevenly can lead to pain, stiffness, and arthritis.

If you experience a tibial plateau fracture, our team at Austin Foot & Ankle can help. Call our office in Austin or Bee Cave, Texas, or request your appointment online today.