Recovering from a Tibia and Fibula Fracture: My Comprehensive Guide to Faster Healing and Effective Rehabilitation
- Michelle Lim
- Apr 23
- 6 min read
Recovering from my traumatic injury—a severe fracture of both my tibia and fibula during a skiing accident—was an incredibly challenging and deeply impactful journey. My accident, which occurred during a routine warm-up run, instantly changed my life, immersing me into a prolonged period of physical limitations, emotional doubts, and the need for structured rehabilitation.
Having never experienced a serious injury before, I was completely unprepared for the physical, emotional, and logistical challenges of recovery. Starting from scratch, I consulted multiple surgeons, nearly a dozen physical therapists, two plastic surgeons, an aesthetic doctor, and explored numerous blogs and videos to develop a personalized recovery plan. By sharing my experiences and insights gained throughout this process, my hope is to help you save valuable time and achieve a quicker, smoother recovery.
Phase 1: Immediate Response and Surgery
Selecting the right medical care was crucial and finding a skilled, communicative surgeon was essential. After careful consultation, I chose Dr. Tan Ken Jin in Singapore for surgery, and his expertise made a significant difference in my recovery. Before the operation, he thoroughly explained his surgical approach (opting for a plate instead of a rod) both on zoom and right before the operation, which greatly eased my anxiety. His surgical skill was exceptional, resulting in four small, precise incisions rather than one large cut, which allowed for quicker healing and minimized scarring. Initially, the post-operative period felt overwhelming due to severe physical limitations, but it's important not to be frightened by this temporary restriction. Remember, your body needs ample time and rest to heal properly after such a traumatic experience. I spent the entire first month completely reliant on a wheelchair, allowing my body the necessary time to begin healing effectively.
Phase 2: First Month – Non-Weight Bearing (0% WB)
During this initial recovery phase, the inability to bear weight resulted in substantial muscle loss, deterioration of muscle memory, and severe swelling. Basic daily tasks became unexpectedly challenging—simple things like showering required significant effort and assistance. Reflecting on this period, I recognized the immense value that early intervention could provide, even if minimal. Having a physiotherapist visit my home within the first one or two weeks post-surgery would have been extremely beneficial. Gentle upper-body exercises, assisted stretching, and mobility activities could have significantly reduced swelling and helped maintain muscle function. Additionally, the presence of a home nurse could provide valuable support and reduce stress, although I acknowledge this may not be feasible or accessible to everyone. My key advice for this phase is to approach activities slowly, be patient with yourself, and maintain a positive mindset. Recognize that recovery from a traumatic injury requires time, rest, and gradual progression.
Phase 3: Second Month – Partial Weight Bearing (50% WB)
The second month marked the beginning of my proactive and intensive physiotherapy journey. Initially, I used a walker for basic mobility. However, the walker proved limited, especially when navigating stairs. Within 1-2 weeks, I transitioned to crutches, which was crucial. Learning to navigate stairs and move confidently with crutches significantly improved my independence. It is also important to adjust the crutches to the right height for ease of walking.
After consulting with at least six physiotherapists, I ultimately chose to continue my rehabilitation with Kylie from Thrive, whose guidance and approach resonated deeply with me. Under her direction, I began incorporating upper-body strength training and introduced stationary biking as a low-impact cardio option. These exercises not only helped to elevate my heart rate safely but also restored my strength and confidence, gradually reintroducing me to regular physical activity. Kylie was instrumental in teaching me to walk again—first with two crutches, then confidently transitioning to one, and eventually no crutches by weeks 6 and 7 post-surgery.
Having a physiotherapist who gently pushes your boundaries while carefully observing your limitations is incredibly valuable. Walking and gentle exercise are excellent for promoting blood flow and healing, but it's important to avoid excessive strain that can cause severe inflammation. Regular icing of the injured area and using compression socks became key practices for managing inflammation effectively during this phase.
Additionally, I opted to transition from wearing the airboot to regular sneakers as soon as safely possible, as it allowed me to experience authentic walking sensations again. Occasionally, I carried a single crutch to signal caution to others, helping maintain a safe distance during the delicate recovery period.
Phase 4: Week 7 Onward – Full Weight Bearing (100% WB)
From week seven onwards, when I was cleared for full weight-bearing, my recovery took a significant leap forward. The ability to walk independently greatly enhanced both my physical comfort and psychological confidence. However, limited ankle mobility still impacted my walking, and progress had plateaued despite regular stretching exercises. At this stage, I was unable to walk more than 4,000 steps per day without my ankle becoming swollen and painful.
This was when I discovered Functional Manual Therapy (FMT) and began sessions with Dean Hazama at IPA Manhattan. Dean’s skilled manual techniques were transformative, expertly addressing stubborn scar tissue and correcting misalignments in my small joints. These adjustments dramatically improved my ankle mobility, reduced swelling, and accelerated my overall recovery. Within days after my first few sessions with Dean, I could comfortably walk 6,000 steps without significant discomfort or swelling.
After surgery, the lack of movement can cause muscles, tendons, and joints to tighten and adhere together, restricting fluid circulation and leading to persistent swelling. FMT effectively helped me address these issues, allowing proper fluid movement and reducing edema. If you find yourself stuck despite traditional physical therapy, integrating FMT could be the breakthrough you need. However, quality among FMT practitioners varies widely, so look for a highly experienced therapist with at least a decade of specialized training.
During this period, it is crucial to maintain your earlier recovery practices—icing, elevation, and compression. Many people mistakenly abandon these routines thinking their condition has improved significantly, but my physiotherapist emphasized their continued importance. Recovery typically spans 4-6 months, and consistent adherence to these routines ensures a more comprehensive recovery.
Lastly, incorporating balancing and unilateral exercises at this stage is critical. Following an injury, your body naturally compensates by favoring the uninjured side, causing imbalances and weakening the injured limb further. Targeted isolated muscle training helps retrain your brain and restores balanced muscle functionality, aiding a complete and effective recovery.
Understanding Functional Manual Therapy (FMT)
Functional Manual Therapy (FMT) is a specialized approach that combines hands-on manual techniques with targeted exercises to restore optimal function and movement patterns in the body. Unlike traditional physiotherapy, which often emphasizes exercises and modalities, FMT directly addresses mechanical restrictions and tissue dysfunctions through skilled manipulation of muscles, joints, and connective tissues. When integrated with traditional physiotherapy, FMT enhances overall recovery outcomes by effectively breaking down scar tissue, restoring mobility, and significantly reducing pain and inflammation, especially in complex cases like fractures.
Many physical therapists will use hand massage to help patients. But I find that it is best to find someone who specialises in FMT. The sessions tend to be 100% spent on manual therapy instead of any exercises. Then a good traditional physical therapist can guide you on the exercise part to target specific muscle to regain memory and activation.
Important Lessons Learned
Throughout my journey, several key insights emerged that could benefit others:
Early Mobility: Engaging even minimal mobility exercises shortly after surgery can prevent excessive muscle loss and maintain joint flexibility.
Crutches Training: Mastering crutches early, including navigation on stairs, greatly enhances independence and recovery progression.
Diverse Therapy Approaches: Combining traditional physiotherapy with FMT, strength training, cardio, and balance exercises provides comprehensive rehabilitation.
Balance and Coordination: Introducing balance exercises early helps address significant weaknesses in the injured limb.
Consistent Communication: Effective communication among your surgeons, therapists, and family physicians ensures cohesive, informed care and clearer recovery guidance.
Recommendations for Others
Start physical therapy early, even during the non-weight-bearing phase, with appropriate guidance.
Gradually progress through mobility aids (wheelchair, walker, crutches) to enhance functional independence.
Incorporate multiple therapeutic approaches early, including traditional physical therapy, manual therapy (FMT), and gentle strength and cardio exercises.
Regularly reassess and adjust your rehabilitation program in consultation with your therapy team.
I hope my recovery journey will help guide you on your journey, so that you won’t miss any crucial part of the rehabilitation process. I couldn’t find any comprehensive guide when I got injured, which drove me to share my experiences with you. Stay positive!
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