Early Versus Delayed Operative Management of Closed Tibial Fractures

Fractures of the tibial shaft are the most common long bone fractures. Operative treatment of isolated closed tibial shaft fractures frequently is delayed in favor of treatment of life threatening injuries. A retrospective chart review of 200 tibial fractures was performed. These injuries were managed by two surgeons at a Level 1 trauma center between 1989 and 1996. Strict inclusion criteria identified 54 patients with an isolated closed tibial …