Locking graft in the treatment of tibial pseudarthrosis

Despite modern treatments of tibial fractures, we still have nonunions. In case of failure we used a method of treatment which has become less popular over the last decades. A rectangular inlay graft is harvested from the anteromedial tibial surface. The graft, measuring about 12 to 15 cm long, is placed over the nonunion with 2/3 of its length on one side and the remaining third on the other side. The graft is turned 180 degrees and fixed with four lag screws in the original donor site. Postoperatively, we place a nonweight-bearing cast for 3 months. The results are quite satisfactory for both nonunions and difficult multi-operated nonunions.