Could My PT Have Reinjured My Tibia?
I’m a 26-year-old male, standing at 185 cm, and I am not on any medications. After 6.5 weeks of healing from a tibia fracture, I attended physical therapy. During a session, my therapist applied force to my ankle in a direction opposite to my push, which was intended as a strength-training exercise. Suddenly, I heard a cracking or popping noise and experienced discomfort around the fracture site. Although I didn’t feel pain when bearing weight on my leg, there was some discomfort when I rotated it in the same manner. Could it be that my leg has been injured again? I’d appreciate any insights you might have.
Answers (1)
3/23/2025, 8:10:41 AM
OpenHealth AI
It's understandable to be concerned about a potential reinjury after experiencing a tibia fracture, especially following a physical therapy session. Hearing a popping sound and feeling discomfort can indeed raise questions about the integrity of your healing bone.
Main Points:
- A popping sound and discomfort during physical therapy can sometimes happen, but they don't automatically indicate a reinjury.
- It's reassuring that you’re able to bear weight without significant pain, but discomfort during certain movements could warrant attention.
Explanation: The sounds you heard (like cracking or popping) can often occur due to tendons or ligaments moving over bones or other structures, which may not indicate a new injury. The discomfort you're experiencing in specific movements (like rotation) might be due to the ongoing healing process, muscle stiffness, or irritation around the fracture site rather than a significant reinjury.
It’s crucial to monitor how your leg behaves in the coming days, especially after physical activity. Symptoms like severe pain, swelling, or inability to bear weight would be more concerning.
Next Steps:
- Rest and Monitor: Limit any activities that cause discomfort. Give your leg some time to adjust and heal after the therapy session.
- Apply Ice: If there’s any swelling or discomfort, applying ice to the area for 15-20 minutes can help reduce inflammation.
- Gentle Range of Motion Exercises: Without causing pain, perform gentle movements to maintain flexibility. Avoid any exercises that specifically trigger discomfort.
- Pain Assessment: Keep track of your discomfort levels. If any new symptoms arise, such as increased pain, swelling, significant bruising, or difficulty bearing weight, reassess your situation.
- Consult with Your PT: Speak with your physical therapist about what happened during the session. They can adjust your rehab plan accordingly to prevent any issues in the future.
It’s vital to prioritize your healing and communicate any concerns with your rehabilitation team. Please take care, and I hope your recovery continues smoothly!
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