Muhammad Shoaib, Muhammad Shabir, Ahmed Sohail Sahibzada, Raja Gul.
Outcome of close reduction and casting in close tibial diaphyseal fracture.
J Med Sci Jan ;13(2):154-6.

Background: Tibial fracture is the most common long bone fracture especially in young people and has many treatment modalities i.e, close reduction and casting, open reduction and internal fixation with plates and screws and interlocking nails. Tibial fracture in adults may go in to malunion or nonunion if not treated properly. Research Methodology: This is descriptive, study on 30 patients, (22 male and 8 female) conducted at orthopedic department, Lady Reading Hospital Peshawar and Ayub Teaching Hospital Abbottabad from January 2001 to December 2003. Patients included were of each gender, adults and close diaphyseal fractures who presented within 1 week after injury All fractures were treated with close reduction and casting under analgesia. Follow up was done for 6 months with assessment of radiological (healing) and clinical outcome (joint movement, leg alignment and length). Results: Out of 30 patients 22 (73.33%) were male and 8 (26.66%) were female with age range from 14 to 60 years. Left side was involved in 18 (60%) and right in 12 (40%) patients. Healing time was 12 to 20 weeks in 25 (83.33%) patients i.e. excellent and good results, and out of remaining 5 patients 3 (10%) got hypertrophic nonunion. 2 (6.66%) patients had less than 5 degree external rotation. Knee stiffness in 4 (13.33%) patients and ankle stiffness in 3 (10%) patients was seen, which resolved with exercises. Conclusion: Closed reduction and POP cast application is a safe, cost effective method for treating closed diaphyseal fracture of the tibia and gives excellent results regarding function of the limb and healing time.

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