title: Early weight bearing after complete tibial shaft fractures in children.
abstract: This study determined the prevalence of complications related to early weight bearing and the factors associated with time to healing in children after a complete tibial shaft fracture. Radiographs and medical records were reviewed from patients with unilateral, closed, complete tibial shaft fractures who were treated nonoperatively with a long leg cast. There were 55 males (68.8%) and 25 females (31.2%) with a mean ± SD age of 6.0 ± 4.0 years (range 1-16). There were few complications (2.5%) and patients healed faster if they bore weight earlier (0.3 days faster for each day earlier to weight bearing, P = 0.02), were younger (2.3 days faster per year younger, P < 0.001), were female (2.7 days faster than males, P = 0.02), or did not have a closed reduction (3.8 days faster, P = 0.002) (R = 0.63). Time to weight bearing after complete tibial shaft fracture was not associated with an increased risk of complications. Earlier weight bearing was associated with a shorter time to healing. This study provides support for treatment with early weight bearing in children with closed, complete tibial shaft fractures.
authors: Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, Texas, USA.
authors: Mark D
authors: MD
authors: Jenkins
authors: Dina L
authors: DL
authors: Jones
authors: Anthony A
authors: AA
authors: Billings
authors: Elizabeth S
authors: ES
authors: Ackerman
authors: John C
authors: JC
authors: France
authors: Eric T
authors: ET
authors: Jones
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D002370:Casts, Surgical; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D017102:Fracture Healing; D005596:Fractures, Closed / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D005599:Fractures, Ununited / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D004204:Joint Dislocations / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D008824:Michigan / Q000453:epidemiology; D011859:Radiography; D013978:Tibial Fractures / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D016474:Weight-Bearing