Physical Therapy Rehabilitation Facilitated With Mindfulness Training for a Post-surgical Tibial Fracture Managed...

Tibial fractures occur after low- and high-energy trauma caused by indirect and direct impacts, respectively. Surgical site infection (SSI) after open reduction and internal fixation has significant socioeconomic and quality-of-life effects for the patient. Tibia fractures are a common and often complicated injury that can lead to infection after surgical fixation. Corrective surgery requires an external fixator, such as the Ilizarov fixator, which helps in non-union fractures to reunite. After the external fixation, the patient is immobilised for a long period of time. Therefore, physiotherapy management helps prevent postoperative complications occurring due to prolonged immobilisation, which helps achieve functional independence and facilitates the patient to come to a near-normal life as soon as possible. In young age fracture cases because of immobility, there is an immense level of stress and anxiety, which affects the patient's well-being and quality of life. Thus, mindfulness therapy, along with the structured physiotherapy protocol, helps the patient to reduce stress and anxiety and improve sleep quality and quality of life. This case highlights that early, individualized postoperative physiotherapy combined with mindfulness therapy plays a vital role in managing patients with infected proximal tibial fractures treated with Ilizarov fixation. Addressing both physical impairments and psychological well-being through a multidisciplinary rehabilitation approach can accelerate functional recovery, reduce complications associated with prolonged immobilization, improve quality of life, and facilitate an earlier return to independent daily activities.