A member asked:

I just had a closed complete transverse fracture of the upper distal 3r of the tibia, what are my guidelines for returning to soccer?

4 doctors weighed in across 3 answers

Healed and pain free: Be patient. Typically these heal 8-10 % per week and take 10-12 weeks to heal. Muscle atrophy will set in while you're waiting to heal, and this will have to be addressed with rehab. You can keep your other leg in shape by using a stationary bicycle and pedalling with that side only. Calf pain after the initial injury pain has resolved can be a sign of blood clot so this should be evaluated.

Answered 9/10/2011

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Several guidelines.: Not quite sure if you meant the proximal third or the distal third of the tibia. Regardless, you should be under the care of a sports medicine orthopedist, who can determine if it can heal without surgery. If so, then you should be x-rayed periodically until 3 months post-injury. After bone healing and physical therapy, you should be able to return to soccer, if you regained full function.

Answered 9/10/2013

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About 3 months: Working with an orthopedic surgeon and an experienced pt to set "functional recovery" goals is best. In about 3 months you should be able to do many of the demands of soccer.

Answered 9/10/2013

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