The treatment of tibial diaphysial bone defects in adults

Abstract

Twenty cases of established non-union of the tibial diaphysis with bone defects ranging from 2.5 centimetres to 7.5 centimetres (mean 3.5 centimetres), were treated between 1976 to 1981. In six cases complications were compounded by bilateral femoral shaft `fractures and multiple other injuries. Previous operative attempts for reconstruction had been! made on three cases. Average period from reconstructive operation to union was twenty three weeks with a range for eight to seventy-two weeks. Pormanont limb shortening occurred in all the cases ranging from 2.5 centimetres to 7.5 centimetres (mean 3.5cms). Among the various remedial techniques used obtaining union in nineteen cases, Posteroatoral tibio-fibular synostosis emerged as the beet Salvage procedure in our environment with minimal hospitalisation and complications.