Treatment

Isolated fibula fractures: splinting and partial weight bearing

Nondisplaced proximal tibial fractures: hinged knee brace and no weight bearing for 6 weeks

Nondisplaced tibial shaft fractures: long leg cast (if the long leg cast fails to ensure proper healing, then surgical treatment is indicated)

Indication: open or displaced tibial shaft fractures

• Open fractures require urgent irrigation and debridement

• Open reduction and internal fixation with plate, screw, or intramedullary nail

• External fixation may be used, especially for complex fractures.

Patients with tibial fractures should be monitored for:

• High risk of compartment syndrome in any of the compartments, given that the tibia is surrounded by the anterior, lateral, and deep posterior compartments of the lower leg

• Fat embolism

• Peroneal nerve injury (foot drop)

• Deep vein thrombosis

• Nonunion

• Post-traumatic arthritis [4]