Is Flying Advisable After A Hairlline Fracture In Tibia?

Posted on Sun, 6 Apr 2014

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Sun, 6 Apr 2014 Answered on

Fri, 2 May 2014 Last reviewed on

Question : can you fly after a hairlline fracture in tibia

Answered by Dr. Mukesh Chugh (25 minutes later)

Brief Answer: Yours is a stable fracture and may fly Detailed Answer: Hi Thanks for writing I Dr. Chugh Orthopaedic surgeon After going through your query, may I know how old is the fracture? Usually these types of fractures are stable that is they do not get displaced easily. This stability may further be enhanced by cast (light weight fibre cast or air cast). You may fly with cast on and I usually do not allow weight bearing for 4-6 weeks from date of Injury. Take ibuprofen to reduce pain and to promote bone healing you may take balanced diet rich in calcium (1000mg/day) and vitamin (1000 i.u. /day). Hope this information suffices. You may send the x ray picture for better understanding of fracture pattern. Take care and I shall be glad to answer any further query. Regards Dr.chugh (http://bit.ly/drmchugh)

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vinay Bhardwaj

Follow up: Dr. Mukesh Chugh (24 minutes later)

the fracture is 3 days old. i have been walking with a cloth around my leg. it is not painful. i only found out about the fracture after we did an x ray. could you: a) tell me what do you mean by "Usually these types of fractures are stable that is they do not get displaced easily" b) which vitamin should i take XXXX

Answered by Dr. Mukesh Chugh (36 minutes later)

Brief Answer: Fracture ends are locked in hair line fracture Detailed Answer: Hi It’s good to see you After going through your reply, may I know how the fracture occurred, was there any trauma associated? Because your reply is suggestive of fracture found by chance. Such fracture are called pathological fractures that is fracture occurred on minor injury in the weak bone because of bone disease like osteoporosis, overuse of drugs like steroid and so on. My advice would be give protection to fracture by having cast (may be light weight fibre cast or plaster of Paris).Hair line fracture are stable that is fracture ends are locked and do not slip leading to overriding or angulations of fracture ends, it also means one may start weight bearing with the cast on in 3-4 week time with walker/crutches as the fracture unites early. The vitamin which is also known as sunshine vitamin and helps in bone healing is vitamin D. Hope this information helps you. Take care and I shall be glad to answer any further query. Regards Dr. chugh (http://bit.ly/drmchugh

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vinay Bhardwaj