Anterior Tibial Stress Fracture - Please Help!!!

[physiobob]

Can you ask the surgeon to tell you how the intramedullary rod will assist to heal this issue? I suspect it is to stimulate bone healing but creating a false fracture in the bone? Having the fascia involved maybe there is some compartment issues in there are well. Perhaps this was the original issue? Some type of fascial release may be required as well if that was the case.

I'd be interested in peoples opinions (including the surgeons) as I have not had anyone who has undergone this procedure before. Have you tried magnetotherapy/magnetic therapy for accelerated bone healing. We used to use that all the time to speed up fracture healing. If you're on the North Shore of Sydney then the Narrabean Sports Physio practice at the NSW Academy of Sport have one.

P.S for interest I attached images of a stress fracture with and without intramedullary rod. These came from http://www.orthosupersite.com

[sarah81]

Thank you very much for your reply. You have given me some food for thought and I have now have a list of questions for the surgeon on Friday. I will let you know how I go - my doctor, physio and surgeon did some research into a bone stimulator but they decided it was not appropriate for my case. (it was also a 2 month wait to get clearance from Private Health Insurance and a cost of $8000). The IM rod op does worry me a bit, but they assure me that its the only way to go. The frustrating thing is that they keep saying that they have never seen this type of stress fracture before it is only 2% of all stress fractures. What do they mean when they mention the fascia? Thanks again for your replies, I truly appreciate all of your help.

[sarah81]

Met with the surgeon today I have been booked in to have a tibia biopsy and ostectomy - he is going to try this before the IM rod - and hopefully it heals. So I am so happy now that I have a plan at least. The op is on October 18th so still hopping around on crutches til then.