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Complete Compound Tibia / Fibula Fracture Healing
Looking for an opinion! Daughter age 9 was hit by a car 10/9/06 and has a complete compound Tib/Fib FX. Intramedullary rods and new cast with windows for dressing changes. Non weight bearing for 8-10 weeks, surgery scheduled at 12 weeks again. Callous forming, but now the leg is deviating externally approx. 10 degrees. Doctor says resetting in to neutral position would put us back to square one and may cause more splintering damage. Her leg is looking "wavy" almost twisted on the xray and doc has said there may be a length discrepancy too.
I know you cant diagnose or predict the future. Only time will tell. With this combination of injuries, what should I think about for the future? This was a MVA vs. pedestrian? I would assume this could cause back problems. I am an OT and have gotten contradicting opinions from my OT and PT co-workers about leaving this go. Probably need a second opinion fast.
Any input would be appreciated.
Thank you,
Michelle
Answer:
Complete Compound Tib/Fib FX
Thanks for your question. As I do not have enough information to comment specifically on your daughters case (deviating despite intramedullary rod?), I'll just address some general points that may or may not apply to your situation. First, as a rule of thumb, it is a good idea to trust the doctor that did the operation in the first place, he has hands on - type of knowledge the others are lacking. Second, children's fractures heal much better than adults and deviations are often spontaneously corrected (up to a certain limit). What should you think about the future? With no brain injury and callus forming, the future of a nine years old looks just fine to me. Please keep us posted here on the forum about new developments.
Answer:
Complete Compound Tib/Fib FX
Thank you. I told the doctor yesterday I am sorry for being paranoid! We are just lucky they could save the leg at this point.
They did recast and moved the foot into a better position, there is little bone union, although with the rods it doesnt look much different. But I do think a little of the deviation was because of the cast. On the good side we are down to one window in the cast for bandage changes, and that one looks pretty good. Only one area which is still pitted, the rest is turning to red blotches under the skin. It is really amazing the way the body heals! ANd hopefully she will return to school after Thanksgiving. Thanks again for your response.
Take Care,
Michelle
Answer:
labar914
Bone Healing Question
I had posted back in Novemeber about my daughters accident, so I wont re-hash the details it is below a few posts. We ended up having a surgery at 6 weeks because my daughter developed an irritation and infection to ther titanium rods, they needed to come out. The bones were still unstable at that point and she was put back in a wheechair. She got a new Patella Tendon Bearing Cast 3 weeks after surgery as well.
My question is very general and is based on how a bone heals. I understand that calous forms around the fracture sites and then the body remodels these areas to look like "normal" bone. What types of issues could impeed this normal growth? In our case the xrays are showing wonderful growth on 3 sides of the Tibia and no growth on the medial side of the leg. The xray shows the jagged bone with nonunion. I understand you cant comment on her specifically.
Hopefully you could give me some insite on questions to ask our doctor. As well as causes for uneven bone growth in complete fractures that are located in the middle area of the Tibia. What about treatments to stimulate bone growth? All general I know, but I like to understand a bit before I go in to the doctor, it helps me to be prepared.
Thank you,
Michelle