A Clinical Analysis of Isolated Tibial Shaft Fracture

Lee, Kee Byoung; Lee, Jin Young; Kim, Young Hoon; Park, In Heon

Abstract

Tibial Fracture with intact fibulae is associated with complications of malunion, delayed union, and pain on ipsilateral ankle joint occasionally. Ninety nine patients with isolated tibial shaft fracture treated and managed in the Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Chun Cheon Sacred Heart Hospital from January 1985 to December 1987. One hundred and one cases of ninety nine patients were compared with sex, age, characteristics of fracture treatment, and complications. The following results were observed. 1. Isolated tibial shaft fracture occured two times more frequently in children than in adults and showed lower incidence of complications in children than in adults. 2. Among cases treated by conservative method, Angulation & displacement were developed frequently, and which some (30.7%) were not corrected by closed reduction. 3. Among cases treated by early weight bearing, Angulation deformity could be developed in which resulted in varus malunion. 4. Fibular osteotomy was used in cases which was malunion, nonunion, and delayed union and the results were good. 5. Complications were developed more frequently in comminuted fracture, open fracture, severe displacement and angulation of fracture fragments, and proximal 1/3 portion of tibial shaft. 6. Malunions were all varus malunions and there were no difference between average angle of varus in children and that in adults. 7. In children bone union period was not affected by fibular bowing of isolated tibial fracture.