What are the common conditions and disorders that affect the tibia?
The most common issues that affect tibias are fractures, osteoporosis, Osgood-Schlatter disease and Paget’s disease of the bone.
Tibia fractures
A bone fracture is the medical term for breaking a bone. Because tibias are so strong, they’re usually only broken by serious injuries like car accidents, falls or other traumas. Symptoms of a fracture include:
- Pain.
- Swelling.
- Tenderness.
- Inability to move your leg like you usually can.
- Bruising or discoloration.
- A deformity or bump that’s not usually on your body.
Go to the emergency room right away if you’ve experienced a trauma or think you have a fracture.
Osteoporosis
Osteoporosis weakens bones, making them more susceptible to sudden and unexpected fractures. Many people don’t know they have osteoporosis until after it causes them to break a bone. There usually aren’t obvious symptoms.
Women, people assigned female at birth and adults older than 50 have an increased risk for developing osteoporosis. Talk to your provider about a bone density screening that can catch osteoporosis before it causes a fracture.
Osgood-Schlatter disease
Osgood-Schlatter disease causes pain in your knee and upper shin when tendons pull against the top of your shinbone. It usually affects growing kids and teens. It’s sometimes called jumper’s knee. Symptoms include:
- Swelling.
- Tenderness.
- Pain just below the kneecap.
Talk to your provider if your child experiences new pain in their knee.
Paget’s disease of the bone
Paget’s disease of the bone (osteitis deformans) is a chronic bone disorder. It causes your affected bones to constantly break down and regrow. It usually affects people older than 50 and people with Northern European ancestry. Symptoms include:
- Bone or joint pain.
- Larger head size.
- Bowed arms or legs.
- Curvature of the spine.
- Bone fractures.
What tests are done on tibias?
The most common test done to check the health of your tibia is a bone density test. It’s sometimes called a DEXA or DXA scan. A bone density test measures how strong your bones are with low levels of X-rays. It’s a way to measure bone loss as you age.
If you’ve experienced a tibial fracture your provider or surgeon might need imaging tests, including:
What are common treatments for tibias?
Usually, your tibia won’t need treatment unless you’ve experienced a fracture or have been diagnosed with osteoporosis.
Tibia fracture treatment
How your fracture is treated depends on which type it is and what caused it. You’ll need some form of immobilization — like a splint or cast — and will probably need surgery to realign (set) your bone to its correct position and secure it in place so it can heal.
Osteoporosis treatment
Treatments for osteoporosis can include exercise, vitamin and mineral supplements and medications.
Exercise and taking supplements are usually all you’ll need to prevent osteoporosis. Your provider will help you develop a treatment plan that’s customized for you and your bone health.
