Sarmiento's landmark 1995 series analyzes 1,000 consecutive closed diaphyseal tibial fractures treated with prefabricated functional below-knee braces, using multivariate analysis to identify which patient and fracture variables predict final shortening, angulation, healing time, and union.
When counseling patients with closed tibial shaft fractures, you can quote specific outcome expectations: 95% will have shortening under 12mm and 90% will have angulation under 6 degrees. An intact fibula should make you more cautious about functional bracing due to higher deformity risk.
Sarmiento's landmark 1995 series analyzes 1,000 consecutive closed diaphyseal tibial fractures treated with prefabricated functional below-knee braces, using multivariate analysis to identify which patient and fracture variables predict final shortening, angulation, healing time, and union.
When counseling patients with closed tibial shaft fractures, you can quote specific outcome expectations: 95% will have shortening under 12mm and 90% will have angulation under 6 degrees. An intact fibula should make you more cautious about functional bracing due to higher deformity risk.