THE EPIDEMIOLOGY OF TIBIAL FRACTURES

We performed an epidemiological analysis of 523 fractures treated in t he Edinburgh Orthopaedic Trauma Unit over a three-year period using mo dern descriptive criteria. The fractures were defined in terms of thei r AO morphology and their degree of comminution, location and cause. C losed fractures were classified using the Tscherne grading system and open fractures according to the Gustilo classification. Further analys is of fractures caused by road-traffic accidents and football was carr ied out. The use of the AO classification allowed the common fracture patterns to be defined. Correlation of the classification systems show ed an association between the AO morphological system and the Tscherne and Gustilo classifications. The relative rarity of severe tibial fra ctures is indicated and it is suggested that in smaller orthopaedic un its the;infrequency of these fractures has implications for training a nd the development of treatment protocols.