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Delayed union stress fractures of the anterior tibia: conservative management
1Centre for Sports Medicine, Queen's Medical Centre, Nottingham, UK. Mark.Batt@nottingham.ac.uk
Introduction:
A conservative method of treating four delayed union stress fractures of the anterior mid-tibia is described, with an illustrative case history.
Methods:
Once diagnosed each of the patients was treated in a pneumatic lower leg brace with modified rest. The mean (range) age of the patients was 28 (24-32) years and all were involved in professional or amateur sports. The mean (range) duration of symptoms before diagnosis and definitive treatment of the four fractures was 9 (3-14) months.
Results:
Use of this technique avoided the need for surgery in this group of patients and allowed return to unrestricted activity an average of 12 months from presentation.
Conclusion:
The treatment is cost effective and avoids the often uncertain results and morbidity associated with surgery for these difficult stress fractures.