Shin Fracture

Shin Fracture: Causes, Symptoms, Diagnosis, and Treatment

A shin fracture is a break in the tibia, the larger bone in the lower leg that bears most of the body’s weight. These fractures often result from trauma such as a fall, sports injury, or motor vehicle accident. Depending on the impact, the fracture may also involve the surrounding bone (fibula), the knee joint, or the ankle.

Symptoms of a shin fracture include immediate pain, swelling, bruising, and difficulty bearing weight. The leg may appear deformed or bent, and in severe cases, the bone may break through the skin. In less obvious cases, patients may notice deep aching pain and difficulty walking.

Diagnosis is made through physical examination and imaging, typically X-rays or CT scans, to determine the type, location, and severity of the fracture. Fractures can range from stable, nondisplaced breaks to complex, displaced, or open injuries involving multiple bone fragments.

Treatment depends on the nature of the fracture. Stable fractures may be treated with a cast or brace and limited weight-bearing. More complex or unstable fractures often require surgery to align and secure the bone using rods, plates, or screws. Recovery includes a period of healing followed by physical therapy to regain strength, motion, and function.

At Slocum, our orthopedic trauma team provides expert care for shin fractures, from diagnosis to rehabilitation, to help patients return to safe and active movement.