[The effect of treatment method for tibial fracture on tibial bone mineral density]

Bone mineral density (BMD) has been measured above malleolar fracture site and within femoral neck in 17 patients treated conservatively and in 17 patients treated surgically. The BMD was taken 3 months after injury. BMD at the fracture site decreased in patients treated conservatively by 20 +/- 3% and by 17 +/- 4% in those operated on. BMD within the femoral neck of the extremity involved decreased by 5% regardless of the mode of treatment. The results achieved indicate no significant difference in BMD in both groups of patients.