Osteomedulloangiography: a method of estimating the consolidation prognosis of tibial shaft fractures
Puranen, J.; Punto, L.
Clinical Orthopaedics and Related Research 161: 8-14
1981
ISSN/ISBN: 0009-921X PMID: 7332641 Document Number: 173172
Eighty-seven tibial shaft fractures were examined with osteomedulloangiography. The findings in a consecutive and unselected group of 19 fractures confirmed that intraosseous circulation develops within six weeks in normally healing fractures. For 68 tibial fractures which showed no sign of consolidation in conventional roentgenographic examination, osteomedulloangiography was usually performed at three months. Fractures showing positive osteomedulloangiographic results were further treated conservatively, and all consolidated at an average of 21 weeks after injury. On other hand, the 41 fractures with negative osteomedulloangiographic findings required bone-grafting, leading to solid union within three months. Osteomedulloangiography with phlebopression of the extraosseous soft-tissue veins is a reliable technique for early detection of fractures which heal without operation, especially ion cases where clinical and other roentgenographic criteria might prove inadequate. Thus, unnecessary operations for consolidation can be avoided.