title: [Therapeutic effect of combined multifunctional external fixator for treatment of tibiofibular fracture].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To study the therapeutic effect of combined multifunctional external fixator for treatment of tibiofibular fracture.
  
  
  METHODS
  From Oct 1999 to Apr 2006, 37 patients of tibiofibular fractures were treated with combined multifunctional external fixator. There were 28 males and 9 females with an average of 47.8 years (range,from 22 to 76 years). There were 7 cases with transverse fracture, 18 comminuted fracture, 8 spiral fracture and 4 oblique fracture;closed fracture was in 29 cases and open fracture was in 8.
  
  
  RESULTS
  All the patients were followed up 6 to 13 months (mean,9 months)and achieved union of the fractures.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Combined multifunctional external fixator for tibiofibular fracture has many advantages such as minimal invasion, convenient operation, reliable fixation and high union ratio of fracture. Moreover,the treatment has no influence on motion of knee and ankle joint, even patient can walk with external fixator without long-term bed rest.
authors.affiliation: The Second Traditional Chinese Hospital of Zhanjiang, Zhanjiang 524013, Guangdong, China. zhouhui3021@sohu.com
authors.forename: Hui
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Zhou
authors.forename: Dong-ming
authors.initials: DM
authors.lastname: Wu
authors.forename: Zhi
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Wu
authors.forename: Hua-yan
authors.initials: HY
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Min
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Pang
authors.forename: Ling-li
authors.initials: LL
authors.lastname: Lin
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D016267:External Fixators; D005260:Female; D005360:Fibula / Q000293:injuries*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D013978:Tibial Fractures / Q000601:surgery*