18Mo Old with Broken tib-fib.....HELP!!!!!!!

Sorry to hear that :(

Usually 3 weeks is what I've heard. I've seen toddlers stand and walk on casts.

Usually it's another 2 weeks (or however long cast is on roughly) until leg is back to being able to support weight completely/strong. Strengthening and stretching will help once cast is removed.

Where it's the lower leg, just try to keep it immobilized as much as you can (with splint on) when you change her. The cast actually should make it easier - will completely immobilize her leg.

Good luck :)

At 18 months, giver her a day or two with the cast and she will get used to it. And so will you. You'll figure it out as you move along and before you know it, it will be off and she'll be back to her usual self.

Poor baby - it will be fine.

My DD broke her tibia at 18 mos right in the middle of summer. Took 3 weeks with a cast on to heal. Kids heal much more quickly than we do.

I'd suggest changing her while she's standing up. She can put her weight on the good leg and you can get at her that way. That's what I did.
She'll learn very quickly how to maneuver with the cast on and how to move around without it hurting. Don't worry about that. Sponge bathing sucks, but it's all you can do. Keeping her out of water is the tough part.

DD was standing and playing with her scooter with her cast on by the end.

Updated

My DD broke her tibia at 18 mos right in the middle of summer. Took 3 weeks with a cast on to heal. Kids heal much more quickly than we do.

I'd suggest changer her while she's standing up. She can put her weight on the good leg and you can get at her that way. That's what I did.
She'll learn very quickly how to maneuver with the cast on and how to move around without it hurting. Don't worry about that. Sponge bathing sucks, but it's all you can do. Keeping her out of water is the tough part.

DD was standing and playing with her scooter with her cast on by the end.

It will heal in 3 weeks. Once she is in the cast she will up and running within an hour.

Changing diapers is a pain and washing hair...but it will pass quickly. Hope they get you in soon.

I just camped out in the ortho's office after my pediatrician just sent us over once the xray came back with a break.

They cast my daughter from the top of her thigh to the tips of her toes with the cast bent to crawl...she wasn't walking well yet...she started crawling as soon as we got home. If your daughter is walking she should get a walking cast.

Good luck you aren't alone!! Oh my daughter is now almost eight no long term problems!!

My son broke his tibia at 16 mos too. First, if she does get a cast, be prepared for the evil stares and judgment from other people. I was shocked at how people automatically assume it is poor parenting that led to a broken leg. My son broke his at gym day care and it was just an accident on a step.

The cast has to go all the way up to the inner thigh, otherwise your toddler will just walk out of it. Figure out what color you want now! :) Also, ask the ortho guy what options you have to help your daughter walk with it. My son's was awkward, but the worst part was how slippery it was. We ended up putting my husbands sock over it for a bit of traction, but it didn't help a lot. I know they now have boots that can go over the cast too.

Another suggestion is to go to Walgreens or a similar store and buy Gore-tex (it comes in sheets as far as I understand). The orthopedist can apply it to the cast and make it waterproof! You might want to google the specifics.

My son took about 4 weeks to get the cast off and was perfect after that with no problems. Good luck and my thoughts are with you!