Clinical Study of Tibial Fracture: Comparison of 3 Methods

There is much controversy concerning the method of treatment on the tibial fracture because of frequent complications, such as non-union, delayed union and infection. Authors reviewed and analyzed 110 tibial fractures which had been treated at the Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Sung Ae General Hospital from June 1983 to March 1987 by the groups, conservative treatment, open reduction and internal fixation with compression plate and closed flexible intramedullary nailing.

The results were as follows :1. In regard to the fracture location, there was no difference in the healing time among the treatment methods. The I.M. nailing group healed 1.5 weeks earlier than other groups in each location. 2. In minor and moderate severity by Ellis, the I.M. nailing group revealed better result, and in major one, the compression plate group showed better result. More complications occured in major severity. 3. Union time among the trestment methods was not affected by the fibular fractures, but most of the complications occured in the concomitant fibular fracture case. 4. In open fracture, the healing time showed no difference among the groups, and was prolonged about 2 weeks than closed fracture. In closed case, the I.M. nailing group showed good result. 5. The cases, which were reduced earlier in the conservative group, and treated within 3 days in the I.M. nailing group revesled better result. 6. The radiological union time from the definite treatment was 15.80 weeks in the conservative treatment group, 15.18 weeks in the compression plate group and 13.92 weeks in the I.M. nailing group.