Corey Hill, the 6 ft. 4 in. 155 lb. lightweight out of Colorado Springs, Colorado, suffered a dramatic right leg (tibia and fibula) fracture during his contest at UFC’s Fight for the Troops, Dec. 10th.

Corey Hill was in the opening minutes of the second round of a competitive battle with Dale Hartt when Hartt checked Hill’s outside leg kick immediately snapping Hill’s right leg.  The injury occurred between the knee and the ankle at approximately 2/3’s of the way down obviously breaking both bones of the lower leg.

Initial treatment of this type of injury consists of placing the limb in a normal position and then stabilizing the limb with a splint.  Many sports venues and emergency personnel have an ‘air splint’ that can be easily and quickly applied.  Then with the use of a pump the splint conforms to the extremity providing adequate support and immobilization. 

During transportation to the trauma center, emergency personnel will frequently check pulses of the foot, movement of the toes and sensation to ensure neurovascular integrity. 

Once at the trauma center, an orthopedic surgeon will review the proper x-rays and plan surgery either immediately or within a few days to allow for swelling.  Surgery for this injury usually requires placing a rod within the larger bone, the tibia.  The smaller bone (fibula) rarely requires attention.

An incision is made just below the knee cap (patella) then a hole is made in the top of the tibia.  The tibia is relatively hollow and with the use of x-ray a properly sized rigid titanium rod is snaked down the center canal of the tibia and across the break (fracture site) engaging the smaller piece of bone near the ankle. 

Once the rotation of the foot and ankle is properly aligned, screws can be placed perpendicularly through the bone and rod near the knee and ankle.  Now the rod and tibia fracture are locked into position allowing Corey to stand and walk with crutches as soon as the next day.

This type of fracture takes about 10 weeks to heal. Rehab and conditioning may take a year or more.

God's speed Corey; my prayers are with you.