TIBIAL SHAFT FRACTURES - ASSESSMENT OF FRACTURE-HEALING WITH COMPUTED-TOMOGRAPHY

Objective: To assess the capability of CT in assessing stability of ti bial shaft fractures with planimetry. Materials and Methods: Eighteen patients with fracture of the tibial shaft were treated by external fi xator. All patients underwent CT 1, 6, 12, and 18 weeks postoperativel y to assess the fracture healing. The callus formation and compacta we re determined with planimetry. Fractometry, a noninvasive method to me asure stability, was used as the gold standard to determine the stabil ity of the fracture. Results: The patients were divided into three gro ups according to different periods of time for removal of external fix ation. Twelve patients with stable fractures showed a steady increase of callus, which was 50% higher after 12 weeks. Three patients with de layed fracture healing demonstrated an increase of callus of >50% afte r 18 weeks. Three patients with unstable fractures obtained only callu s formation of <20% after 15-18 weeks. The external fixator was remove d and endomedullary nails were used for stabilization. Conclusion: The CT data allow quantification of callus and compacta formation and are able to determine the stability of tibial shaft fractures.