RESULTS OF EARLY AND DELAYED INTERNAL FIXATION FOR TIBIAL SHAFF FRACTURES

Abstract

1. The results of internal fixation are described in 470 tibial shaft fractures. 2. The immediate internal fixation of compound fractures was followed by so high an incidence of serious complications that the use of this method is not recommended. The immediate internal fixation of fresh closed fractures was also followed by many complications. 3. Delayed rigid internal fixation proved satisfactory for difficult fractures in which an acceptable reduction could not be obtained by closed means ; skeletal traction was of value in such fractures until the skin was soundly healed. 4. Delayed internal fixation reduced both the healing time and the complications.