The role of Ender rodding in tibial fractures with an intact fibula.

Abstract

Thirty-three patients with tibia fractures and intact fibula were studied to determine the efficacy of Ender rod fixation in preventing a varus deformity of the tibia. Twenty-one patients were treated nonoperatively with five (23.8%) developing a significant varus angulation (greater than five degrees). No varus malunions were noted in those patients treated with Ender rods. Those patients treated with Ender rods and early weight-bearing had a shorter average time to union than those treated nonoperatively. We therefore feel that Ender rod fixation is a viable treatment modality in tibia fractures with an intact fibula. In these fractures the use of Ender rods helps prevent significant varus malunion and allows early weight-bearing, thus permitting early mobilization of the traumatized patient.