[Non-articular fractures of the proximal tibia (author's transl)]

The authors have made a detailed study of the bony architecture of the upper tibial metaphysis and epiphysis. They describe a number of types of extra-articular fracture of the upper end of the tibia according to their mechanical etiology (direct injury or strain). Forty five such fractures are reviewed. Forty percent of the fractures were compound and vascular complications occurred in three cases. Two patients died from embolism and one required early amputation. Twenty seven patients were treated conservatively and eighteen surgically. After an analysis of the results, the authors note that bonyunion is particularly slow in this type of fracture. They conclude that surgical treatment gives better results, especially with the use of epiphyseal plates.