Treatment of Closed Tibia Shaft Fractures: A Survey From the 1997 Orthopaedic Trauma Association and Osteosynthesis International-Gerhard Küntscher Kreis Meeting

OBJECTIVE: To identify any consensus of opinion regarding treatment and outcome of a closed mid-shaft tibia fracture among orthopedic surgeons. DESIGN: Survey. SETTING: 1997 combined meeting of the Orthopaedic Trauma Association and Osteosynthesis International-Gerhard Küntscher Kreis. MAIN OUTCOME MEASUREMENT: Percentage of responses to key questions. Proportion test (nonparametric) for statistical significance. RESULTS: There is no consensus of opinion regarding treatment for this fracture type. Wide variation exists between and within the different subgroups of orthopaedic surgeons surveyed. CONCLUSIONS: This brings into focus the spectrum of acceptable care for the management of fractures. More studies must be conducted to identify optimal treatment for closed mid-shaft tibia fractures.