Further Increase in the Angulation after Clinical Union of the Conservatively Treated Tibial Shaft Fractures

Lee, Chang Ju; Park, Seung Rim; Chang, Sung Kee; Oh, Jeong Hwan; Chang, Jong Dae

Abstract

Fracture of the tibial shaft is one of the most common fractures of the long bones and frequently followed by malunion, delayed union and nonunion. We experienced the cases of further increase in the angulation after clinical union of the tibial shaft fractures treated by conservative method. So we analyzed 39 cases of tibial shaft fractures which were followed up from 12 weeks to 37 weeks after clinical union in adults. The results were as follows; l. 7 of the 39 cases(18%) showed the increase in the angulation, and all of them were male. 2. Increase in the angulation occurred more frequenlty in the comminuted fractures than simple fractures. 3. The increment of angulation was more marked in group of patients with higher angulation at the time of clinical union. 4. Increase in the angulation occurred more commonly in the cases not associated with fibula fracture than in the cases associated with fibula fracture. 5. Further increase in the angulation was less common in the cases in whom early weight bearing with PTB cast was started.