[Functional, conservative treatment of tibial schaft fractures]

This paper presents the functional conservative treatment of tibial shaft fractures following the principles of DEHNE and SARMIENTO. The disadvantages associated with classical conservative treatment (fracture disease, stiff joints, atrophy and dystrophy) are diminished by early mobilization, early weight bearing, and free mobility of the knee joint. Shaft fractures which give optimal results are those with minimal displacement and which are easily reducible. It is suggested that intraarticular fractures, fractures which have a marked tendency to slip, and those which are a part of multiple trauma, are more successfully treated applying rigid fixation according to ASIF principles.