Knee laxity associated with a proximal diaphyseal tibial and fibular fracture.

Abstract

If operative treatment of a proximal diaphyseal tibial and fibular fracture is required, in most cases, it involves reduction and stabilization of only the tibial fracture. In this case report, after stabilization of the tibial fracture with an intramedullary nail, the patient continued to demonstrate significant varus knee laxity, despite an intact proximal tibiofibular joint and undisplaced fibular head. The stability of the knee was achieved only with internal fixation of the segmental fibular fracture. This case shows the importance of assessing knee laxity in all cases of proximal tibial and fibular fractures.