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Could Swelling On My Tibia Bone Be A Fracture?

Posted on Thu, 26 Oct 2023

Question: Hi I am struggling with a swelling on my tibia bone. The location is just around midway down on the bone on the right leg and seem to be on the front and slightly to the left. Ive been to the doctor twice and they were guessing it was a shin splint, but the location is just where there's not really any muscle. So I was wondering if this could be a fracture? Symptoms are a swelling of around 3x3 cm, its visible and is raising slightly up compared to the rest of the shin. It's not discolored or anything and the swelling feels soft to the touch, I can kind of push it around. History is that I started a very physical job back in December. It required. Me to be on my legs for up to 11 hours on a shift and many stairs etc. I had a long road so I spent 2.5 hours in the car to go to work. I noticed this swelling and pain when I set off on my right leg. It gradually started to swell around 3 months ago and went away again, but after a week or so it came back after work and its been there more or less since that time. I stopped this work. And have tried to stay still as much as possible the past month.

Answered by Dr. Aashish Raghu (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
Stress fracture vs Benign swelling

Detailed Answer:
Hi there,

Thanks for the query...

I have read your query, reviewed the attached image and understood your problem.

The swelling seems to be coming from the bone so it could be from an old stress fracture or benign swelling.

I'd suggest you get an X-ray first. This can help rule out any stress fracture. An MRI can also be done to localize and confirm the diagnosis before the treatment.

I hope I have answered your query.

I will be available to answer your follow up queries.

Regards,

Dr.Aashish Raghu

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Arnab Banerjee

Follow up: Dr. Aashish Raghu (3 days later)

Hello Dr. Aashish XXXXXXX

Thank you for your detailed answer. I have a couple of questions to follow up.

1. What could cause a benign swelling?

2. How long would it take to heal a stress fracture and what can I do to overcome such an injury faster? What's some do's and don't's?

Thank you again.

Answered by Dr. Aashish Raghu (0 minute later)

Brief Answer:
Answers

Detailed Answer:
1. Bone cysts or benign bone tumours like Giant cell tumour can be causes.
2. Stress fracture heals in about a couple of months.
3. Avoid repetitive avebury that is stressful to your legs.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Raju A.T

Follow up: Dr. Aashish Raghu (35 minutes later)

Thank you for the fast answer Dr. Aashish XXXXXXX

I've looked up on the things you've written.

I will be getting a scan of the area in the near future.

When you mention that the healing will take a couple of months, that is a couple of months with minimal activity or can it still heal while doing normal daily day things, such as driving and walking etc.?

My symptoms though are getting better some days, and then stagnate for a week or two, then a little better again. Seems to recover very slowly and some days when putting weight on the right leg then I feel this slight radiating tenderness. It's not very painful anymore, but it's still bothering me.

What are some common symptoms on a stress fracture?

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Thank you again.

The last question, I noticed a slow progress in the swelling and pain but noticed that some days the swelling is worse than others. Yesterday evening the swelling was very warm and irritated and swollen, but as I woke up this morning after sleeping then the swelling was gone down a lot and barely noticeable. Is this a characteristic of benign swelling or stress fracture?

Do you have an idea what causes the swelling? I noticed that setting in my office chair for hours seem to aggravate the swelling and I get these fast radiating aches randomly through the day. They are short and don't last long, but make me afraid to use the leg.

Have a nice day.

Answered by Dr. Aashish Raghu (6 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Answers

Detailed Answer:
It would be wise to stop the stressful activity affecting your legs.

Avoid full weight bearing if intolerable.

Common symptoms of stress fracture is chronic pain after the stressful activity. Swelling and redness in the affected region is common. Gradual relief of the symptoms with lack of suspected activity is seen.

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Brief Answer:
Injury pattern

Detailed Answer:
This seems like the injury is trying to heal but because of activity it gets swollen and gets relieved on taking rest.

More in favour of injury to the leg possibly stress fracture rather than tumour.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Raju A.T

Follow up: Dr. Aashish Raghu (13 hours later)

Thank you very much Dr. Aashish XXXXXXX

Is it possible to understand if it's an injury or a tumor alone from a physical checkup? My own doctors own judgement was that it could be a shin splint or a compartment syndrome (which is just ridiculous).

Should I request an MRI or an Xray for this?

Answered by Dr. Aashish Raghu (19 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Xray first

Detailed Answer:
A physical exam can rule out tumour in later stages effectively.

An Xray will be required first. If the diagnosis is suspicious then an MRI should help narrow it down.

Note: For further queries, consult a joint and bone specialist, an Orthopaedic surgeon. Book a Call now.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vaishalee Punj