Exercises after a tibial plateau fracture

Exercises for a tibial plateau fracture must follow the healing plan, especially restrictions on weight bearing and knee movement. This fracture involves the upper surface of the shin bone where it meets the knee, so loading it too early can interfere with recovery.

The exercise plan depends on fracture stability, treatment, swelling, strength, and the instructions from your orthopaedic team. Early rehabilitation may focus on ankle movement, gentle muscle activation, and supported knee mobility. Progression to standing, walking, balance, and strengthening comes only when the bone and joint are ready. After surgery, Post-Operative Rehabilitation provides a structured way to regain movement while respecting protection requirements.

Follow the prescribed limit on putting weight through the leg and use crutches or another aid exactly as taught. Do not add squats, stairs, resistance bands, cycling, or balance drills without clearance. Keep the knee supported during approved movements, monitor swelling, and perform short sessions rather than forcing a stiff joint. Your therapist may gradually work on quadriceps activation, knee bending and straightening, gait, and safe daily transfers. If the joint surface needs stabilising, Fracture Fixation Surgery may be part of the treatment pathway.

Contact your care team promptly if pain or swelling suddenly increases, the leg becomes unusually cold or numb, the wound changes, or you cannot follow the prescribed weight-bearing plan. Urgent assessment is needed for severe calf swelling, chest pain, or sudden breathlessness. New locking, repeated buckling, or loss of knee movement also deserves review rather than more exercise.

How much weight may I place on the leg today? Which knee movements are allowed? What change shows that I can progress? When should follow-up imaging guide the next exercise stage? Which symptoms mean I should stop and call?