J Korean Orthop Assoc.  1979 Sep;14(3):426-434. 10.4055/jkoa.1979.14.3.426.

The Clinical Study on the Tibial Shaft Fractures

• Kim KH
• Yang WC

• KMID: 2460284
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4055/jkoa.1979.14.3.426

Abstract

The tibia is the most commoniy fractured of all the long bones of the body. Recently, the incidence of shaft fractured of tibia has risen as a result of rapid increase in automobile accidents, industrial accidents and other sports injuries. Fracture of the tibial shaft is extremely difficult to treat and a greater incidence of osteomyelitis, delayed union and nonunion of bone than in those of the full length of the tibia surface is throat, open fracture is more frequent in this bone than in any other major bones. Two hundred eighty patients (293 cases) of the fracture of tibial shaft were treated and managed at the Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Hanyang University Hospital from May, 1975 to December, 1977. The results were as follows: 1. The rate of fracture union was accelarated under the age of 20 years but it was slow in aged group. 2. A better prognosis (fracture union) was shown in proximal one third of the tibia than middle one third and lower one third of the tibia. 3. According to the classification of Ellis, the higher delayed and nonunion rate was shown in major severity group than moderate and minor severity group. 4. A better prognosis of the fracture type was shown in the spiral and oblique fracture than in the transverse, comminuted and segmental fractures. 5. Open fracture of the tibia united later than closed fracture, especially in positive culture sensitivity test. 6. There was a prolonged rate of union about 2 weeks in cases of associated fibula fracture. 7. The proper time of weight bearing of the shaft fracture of the tibia was helpful in fracture union. 8. A better prognosis was shown in the non-operative treatment than operative treatment, especially in PTB cast after long leg cast.

MeSH Terms

Accidents, Occupational
Athletic Injuries
Automobiles
Classification
Clinical Study*
Fibula
Fractures, Closed
Fractures, Open
Humans
Incidence
Leg
Orthopedics
Osteomyelitis
Pharynx
Prognosis
Tibia
Weight-Bearing