Fibular osteosynthesis or fibular osteotomy? / 中华创伤骨科杂志

ABSTRACT

To discuss the advantages and disadvantages of fibular osteosynthesis and osteotomy in the treatment of tibial fractures. Medical literature was searched for articles concerning “fibular fracture”and“fibular osteotomy”on Medline to have a comprehensive idea of experiences of others. The results of others and of ours were analyzed and interpreted. Fractures of distal tibia and fibula with displaced distal tibial articular fractures were classic indications of fibular osteosynthesis, but distal tibiofibular syndesmosis and stability of ankle joint were seldom affected by the fibular fracture when tibia was fractured. It is not necessary to perform routine osteosynthesis for distal fibula fracture. Fibular osteotomy may be considered as an adjuvant procedure when atrophic nonunion or deformity union of tibia occurs. It is wise in treatment of tibial fractures not to perform fibular osteosynthesis or osteotomy whenever possible.