Bridging the Gap between Locking Compressive Plate, Skin Grafting and Rehabilitation for Tibia Fracture: A Case Report

Abstract

Introduction: Road traffic accidents (RTA) have remained an ongoing endemic problem over the years and a serious economic and medical-social burden for many countries around the world. Among the most complex and frequent fractures inside the joint is tibial plateau fractures. Such fractures are linked to adverse results, because of reasons such as the damage of cartilage but also soft tissue envelopes, complications like compartment syndrome, postoperative infection, knee dysfunction or rigidity, or even post-traumatic osteoarthritis. Case Description: An 18-year-old young girl complaining of pain and inability to perform activities of daily living was referred to physiotherapy after being operated with external fixator (LCP) and skin grafting. Locking compressive plate was placed at lateral side of leg with 2 nails near head of fibula and 2 nails near lateral malleolus. Grafted skin was seen at anterior aspect of knee and anterior to medial aspect to leg. Patient was mostly suffering from pain in right leg and knee with intensity 7/10 at rest and 9/10 slight movement and swelling over right lower limb and patient complained of limited mobility and unable to walk. Discussion: The significance of early mobilisation and range of knee joint motion exercises has been apparent in literature in the past 40 years. From low-intensity activities to progressive strengthening and partial to complete weight with walkers, recovery objectives were devised. Good grafting rates can be achieved with fast ambulation leading low extremity skin grafting operations, which runs counter to conventional lessons in post-operative skin grafting after lower extremity