Curriculum · Musculoskeletal / Orthopedic / Rheumatology
Tibial shaft fracture
What it is
A fracture of the shaft of the tibia. It is the most common long bone fracture and the most common open fracture.
Causes and risk
High energy trauma. The mechanism divides in two: a low energy pattern, which is a torsional injury, and a high energy one, which includes MVC, falls and sporting injuries.
How it is treated
Non operative treatment is a cast followed by a functional brace. Operative treatment is ORIF with screws or plates; a tibial shaft fracture may also be treated with an IM nail and screws.