[Sarmiento functional bracing of tibial fractures (author's transl)]

The functional bracing advocated by Sarmiento was used in the conservative treatment of 74 recent tibial fractures (6) adults, 13 children) and in 12 fractures with delayed union. The leg was immobilized in an Orthoplast below-the-knee functional brace with patellar tendon bearing. A flexible plastic insert fitted on the heel allowed the use of sock and shoe. Knee and ankle motion were possible and early weight-bearing was allowed. The results of this method of treatment in recent fractures was excellent since healing occured without delay and function restoration was rapid. In delayed union of tibial fractures this method gave promising results. It is the authors' opinion that Sarmiento's functional bracing is a highly satisfactory method of conservative treatment of tibial fractures.