title: Tibial fracture in a basketball player: treatment dilemmas and complications.
abstract: A 19-year-old male basketball player suffered a spiral fracture of the tibia with an intact fibula, an uncommon injury in basketball. Treatment options for these injuries include cast immobilization, external fixation, and internal fixation using an intramedullary rod or plates and screws. Numerous complications can occur in these injuries, possibly including interference with healing by the intact fibula. The player was treated with an intramedullary rod, but delayed union ensued. Treatment of the patient's delayed union with closed exchange intramedullary nailing and fibular osteotomy enabled him to return to basketball participation.
authors.affiliation: Indiana University, Bloomington, IN, 47405, USA.
authors.forename: T C
authors.initials: TC
authors.lastname: Garl
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Alexander
authors.forename: S K
authors.initials: SK
authors.lastname: Ahlfeld
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Rink
authors.forename: B J
authors.initials: BJ
authors.lastname: Bomba