Abstract
Out of 31 consecutive fractures of the tibial shaft in adults, 21 fractures were treated with AO plate fixation. The procedure was indicated except for the transverse or the short oblique type of the fractures in the middle third of the tibia, which were treated with intramedullary nailing. In cases of the comminuted type (15 fractures), bone grafts were used.
Although the complications included the stiffness of the knee joint in one patient and non-union led by premature weight-bearing in another patient, good anatomical restoration of the tibia was finally resulted in every case.
Operative results of the AO plate fixation were considered to be satisfactory, even though postoperative treatment required longer.
