The effects of the flbular stabilization in the treatment of tibio-fibula shaft fracture

Shin, Dong Bae; Lee, Young Kyu; Ahn, Jang Yeob; Cho, Byung Kuk; Hur, Dae Ug

Abstract

Many authors have been discussed effects of fibular stabilization in the healing of the tibiofibular shaft fracture. A-0 group recommand fixation of the fibular shaft fracture in treatment of tibio-fibula shaft fracture with rationale of more stability of tibial fracture site and anatomical restoration of tibio-fibula relationship and so better effect on ankle motion. The purpose of this study is to indentify the effect of fibula stabilazation on reduction state of tibial fracture site, change in ankle mortise and healing period of tibial fracture site. Authors performed fibula stabilization with 1/3 plate and screws in 8 cases of tibio-fibula shaft fracture and compare with 40 cases of tibio-fibula fracture without fibula stabilization in point of above mentioned three effects. The results were as follows. 1. O/R & I/F of the fibular fracture, had no effect on the reduction state of the tibial shaft fracture site but it was somewhat helpful to restoration of the ankle mortise owing to the restoration of the fibular length. 2. There were no significant differences in the weight bearing time and the union time of the tibial fracture between two groups. 3. We experienced 2 cases of implant failure on the fibular fixation site, due to shortening of the tibial fracture site and overloading of the fibular fixation site. In these 2 cases, ankle pain was debeloped before the implant-failure. From the above result, we suggest that fibula stabilization have no benefit in treatment of tibio-fibular shaft fracture.