[Stress fractures of the tibia: uncommon mechanical complication of osteoarthritis of the knee. Report of 3 cases].

Three cases are reported of spontaneous fracture of the tibia complicating osteoarthritis of the knee with genu varum. These fractures, which are very rare, with only eight cases published in the literature, seem to be associated with severe osteoarthritis in small, obese women. They usually progress to union with simple relief from weight-bearing but non-union may develop which makes the treatment of the causative osteoarthritis more difficult. A review of the published cases helped the indications for treatment to be defined.