Closed Tibial-Shaft Fractures: Which Ones Benefit From Surgical Treatment?

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Abstract
R early operative stabilization. Among the tibial fracture characteristics that warrant fixation are instability, metaphyseal-diaphyseal location, significant limb edema, and the need for repeated realignment procedures. Deleterious patient-specific factors, such as obesity, poor compliance, and health conditions favoring immediate function, should also be considered. Absolute criteria for stabilization include coronal angulation exceeding 5 degrees, sagittal angulation greater than 10 degrees, rotation greater than 5 degrees, shortening exceeding 1 cm, displacement greater than 50%, and severe comminution (loss of 50% or more of cortical circumferential continuity). Relative indications for fixation include an inability to bear weight, distal or oblique fractures, prominent edema, and patient-specific considerations necessitating early function. When tibial stabilization is preferable, the authors believe that closed locked intramedullary nailing is the treatment of choice....