Tibial malunion.
Tibial malunion, a fracture healed in a position that affects the mechanical function of the limb, can be difficult to assess and to correct surgically. Precise definition of malunion has yet to be determined, and the limits of deformity which are associated with arthritic change also remain imprecise. Surgical intervention is therefore primarily indicated in symptomatic patients or those with relatively severe deformity. The several described techniques for correction of tibial malunion can achieve excellent results, although the surgery is not without substantial risk and recovery time. These issues should be discussed at length with patients before surgery.
Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Brown Medical School, Rhode Island Hospital, 1287 North Main Street, Providence, RI 02903, USA.
Anthony P
AP
Mechrefe
Eugene Y
EY
Koh
Peter G
PG
Trafton
Christopher W
CW
DiGiovanni
D005592:Fracture Fixation / Q000379:methods*; D017102:Fracture Healing; D017759:Fractures, Malunited / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D011859:Radiography; D013978:Tibial Fractures / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*