title: Avoiding complications in the care of fractures of the tibia.
abstract: Tibial fractures are the most common long-bone fractures. Orthopaedic surgeons, regardless of their subspecialty, often must treat these injuries, which range from low-energy, minimally displaced fractures to limb-threatening injuries with neurologic and vascular damage and significant damage to the soft-tissue envelope. Tibial shaft fractures are often prone to complications, such as apex-anterior and valgus malalignments after nailing of the fractures in the proximal one third of the tibia, infection after open fractures, and aseptic nonunions. Understanding the common complications will aid in preventing them and will allow recognition and provide treatment strategies when such problems occur.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of Texas, Southwestern Parkland Hospital, Dallas, Texas, USA.
authors.forename: Lisa K
authors.initials: LK
authors.lastname: Cannada
authors.forename: Jeffrey O
authors.initials: JO
authors.lastname: Anglen
authors.forename: Michael T
authors.initials: MT
authors.lastname: Archdeacon
authors.forename: Dolfi
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Herscovici
authors.forename: Robert F
authors.initials: RF
authors.lastname: Ostrum
mesh_terms: D001858:Bone Nails; D005593:Fracture Fixation, Internal / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005599:Fractures, Ununited / Q000517:prevention & control; D006801:Humans; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D013977:Tibia / Q000293:injuries* / Q000601:surgery; D013978:Tibial Fractures / Q000150:complications / Q000601:surgery*