Do you have a tibial plateau fracture and want to understand more about it and the Range of Motion (ROM) exercises designed to help overcome this type of injury?
You’ve come to the right place. In this post, we’re going to discuss what a tibial plateau fracture is, how ROM exercises can help during treatment, and give tips on how best to proceed with your recovery.
It can be disheartening when an injury or condition has been diagnosed that requires much greater care than other typical injuries.
But remember, there are ways that you can recover faster by knowing which treatments exist for your condition, as well as finding techniques that work best for your body. Hence, use them towards achieving rehabilitation success.
What Is Tibial Plateau Fracture?
A Tibial Plateau Fracture is a severe injury of the upper portion of the tibia bone, usually caused by a traumatic, high-energy impact.
This comminuted fracture involves displacement of the joint surfaces and can be associated with ligamentous and soft tissue injuries. Symptoms may include severe pain in the knee joint, swelling, and instability, which can lead to difficulty walking or bearing weight on the injured leg.
When diagnosed with a plateau fracture, medical treatment begins immediately with immobilization in a brace or cast for several weeks, followed by intensive physical therapy.
Surgery may be necessary to stabilize the fracture and repair damaged ligaments or tendons. Recovery time depends on the severity of the injury, but it can range from months to even years to fully regain strength and mobility.
Range Of Motion Exercises For Tibial Plateau Fracture
Range of motion (ROM) exercises can help rehabilitate the damaged knee joint associated with a tibial plateau fracture. ROM exercises are designed to gradually restore the range of motion in the joint, allowing for greater flexibility, stability, and strength.
The goal is for patients to eventually regain their full range of motion and return to normal activities without pain or discomfort.
ROM exercises generally involve range-of-motion stretching and strengthening movements that focus on flexion, extension, abduction/adduction, internal/external rotation, and other motions specific to the knee joint. These exercises should be done slowly while closely monitoring the range of motion to prevent further injury or damage.
Moreover, staying consistent with the range of motion exercises is essential to achieve the best results. You can do this by performing the same range-of-motion stretches and exercises two or three times per day, gradually increasing strength and range of motion with each session.
ROM Exercise for For Tibial Plateau Fracture (Phase I)
During the initial stages of physical therapy for tibial plateau fracture, doctors often advise patients to exercise and rest in intervals.
This helps reduce strain on the healing knee joint; however, it is also vital that muscle contraction activities such as isometric exercises are carried out regularly to keep muscles strong throughout recovery.
Ranging motions – i.e., making sure the injured knee can bend correctly over some time- should be integrated into their routine: gradually increasing flexion by 10 degrees per week until full range of motion has been regained!
Interestingly enough, since this type of injury usually necessitates immobilization with an extension brace during the first 6 weeks post-surgery – straightening tends not to pose many difficulties once removed from said apparatus due to its restrictive nature despite limited bending capacity initially upon removal!
As physical therapists, our final goal for this first phase is to have an increased knee range of motion and muscle activation. As an additional safety measure, the patient should be able to easily and without pain elevates one leg off the bed knee straight.
This period usually lasts for three months. This phase continues until the doctor approves bearing weight on the limb.
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ROM Exercise for For Tibial Plateau Fracture (Phase II)
The tibial plateau fracture recovery process enters its second stage after patients begin to tolerate weight bearing in their leg and the muscles can effectively stabilize the knee.
We move from basic double-leg balance exercises, gradually progressing them into single-leg activities such as heel/toe raises, marching drills, and mini squats – all with a focus on restoring movement while rebuilding strength and endurance through biking routines.
Finally, they progress toward walking as normally as possible by learning how to land on heels before pushing off of toes again when rehearsing steps around low chairs or neighborhoods near home – getting back up close to full potential usually within several months!
ROM Exercise for For Tibial Plateau Fracture (Phase III)
In the third stage of physical therapy for tibial plateau fracture, experienced clinicians work to restore optimal strength and endurance and correct existing issues in flexibility, mobility, balance, and body awareness.
With exercises, such as squatting and lunge training on bosu balls or other unstable surfaces – combined with cardio using jump ropes or ellipticals – patients can improve their agility level dramatically.
For more advanced athletes, familiar movements like jogging will be introduced at slower speeds before moving onto faster movements, including cutting drills that help return them to pre-injury performance levels and beyond!
How To Strengthen Knee After a Tibial Plateau Fracture
After discovering tibial plateau fracture symptoms, get medical attention to speed recovery. If you don’t get recognized and treated quickly, you may have symptoms for longer and develop long-term health complications.
Physical therapists assist you in managing symptoms while you rehab. They may treat short-term pain and prevent chronic and long-term problems like stiff joints. Surgeons may tie the fractured parts together if the fracture is severe. Physical therapy and post-op care follow.
Surgeons may recommend physical therapy or let you choose. In either situation, the goal will be to reduce inflammation and pain, prevent short- and long-term problems, and speed recovery.
First on your recovery list will be knee range of motion and non-weight-bearing activities. To regain your physical strength, you’ll work harder. Each person’s recovery regimen is unique, although it usually involves many weeks of exercise and physical therapy.
How Long Does it Take to Walk Again After a Tibial Plateau Fracture?
Knee injuries are common, but how long it takes to recover from one depends on the individual case. Although surgery is sometimes required for bone displacement, in most cases, all that’s needed is 3-4 months of recovery time just focusing on a range of motion.
If surgery proves necessary, however, your road to full health will take at least six months. You must first heal from the operation before beginning physical therapy to regain movement and weight-bearing capabilities.
Conclusion
Tibial Plateau Fractures are serious injuries that require careful treatment and rehabilitation. Range Of Motion (ROM) exercises are an essential part of recovery from this kind of injury, as they help to restore the range of motion in the knee joint, allowing for greater flexibility, stability, and strength.
By following a regular ROM exercise program suitable for your condition and injury level, you can get back on track toward full recovery as soon as possible. With patience and dedication, a range of motion exercises can help you return to a more comfortable and active lifestyle. Good luck!
