Remodeling of tibial fractures in children younger than 12 years

Forty-eight children with an average age of 7.2 years (range: 3-12 years) were examined clinically and radiographically at an average 4-year follow-up (range: 2-10 years), between 1989 and 2000 to analyze correction of deformities following tibial shaft fractures. An inconsistent alteration in,the length of the fractured tibia was observed. Anterior angular deformity realigned maximally (52.7%) followed by varus (40.9%) and valgus (23.9%) deformities. Posterior deformity corrected the least (18.5%). In the sagittal plane, acceptable critical anterior and posterior angular deformities, that corrected completely were 12 degrees and 6 degrees respectively. In the coronal plane, acceptable critical angular deformities were 10 degrees varus and 8 degrees valgus.