[Therapeutic effect of combined multifunctional external fixator for treatment of tibiofibular fracture].
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.
Zhou
Hui
H
The Second Traditional Chinese Hospital of Zhanjiang, Zhanjiang 524013, Guangdong, China. zhouhui3021@sohu.com
Wu
Dong-ming
DM
Wu
Zhi
Z
Chen
Hua-yan
HY
Pang
Min
M
Lin
Ling-li
LL
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*