title: Classification to guide internal fixation for tibial fracture.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To explore a classification method which can provide the clinical guidance for internal fixation of tibial fracture.
  
  
  METHODS
  The different fractures were fixed according to their mechanical classification. Totally, 71 cases of tibial plateau fracture, tibial proximal fracture, tibial distal fracture and Pilon fracture were analyzed to test this selective principle.
  
  
  RESULTS
  All 71 patients were followed up for 6-32 months. The displacement was seldomly observed in cases treated acccording to the classification principle, while some cases against the principle had postoperative displacement. The difference was statistically significant (P less than 0.05). It was proved that there was remarkable correlation between tibial fracture classification, internal fixator and fixation methods.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Types IIIa3, IIIb1 and IIIb2 fractures without eccentric moment should be fixed with double plates or angle-stable materials combined with locking structure, otherwise displacement may occur.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthpedics, People's Hospital of Liyang City, Liyang 213300, Jiangsu Province, China. czz7328565@czinfo.net
authors.forename: Wen-Xi
authors.initials: WX
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.forename: Zhi-Liang
authors.initials: ZL
authors.lastname: Zheng
authors.forename: Yue-Ping
authors.initials: YP
authors.lastname: Ji
authors.forename: Zhi-Jun
authors.initials: ZJ
authors.lastname: Qiao
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D005593:Fracture Fixation, Internal / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011859:Radiography; D013978:Tibial Fractures / Q000145:classification* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*