The fibula pro tibia procedure in the treatment of nonunion of the tibia.


Published online: Dec 30 1992

C De Meulemeester, R Verdonk, and W Bongaerts.

University Hospital, Ghent, Belgium.

Abstract

We reserve the fibula pro tibia procedure for infected nonunions or for cases that already have been subjected to one or more other methods of treatment. The fibula pro tibia procedure is a technically simple one-stage procedure. The site of the pseudarthrosis is not exposed; hence there is less risk of recurrent infection. Consolidation was achieved in 75% of our cases. The objective findings are positive: consolidation after an average of one year. Knee mobility is normal in most cases, and ankle mobility is only slightly decreased. In most cases the angular deformities are clinically acceptable. All infections have cleared.