Fracutres of the proximal tibia and tibial condyles: a clinical and laboratory comparative study.

Angulatory deformities frequently develop following condylar and proximal diaphyseal tibial fractures. Laboratory studies conducted in cadaver specimens with artificially created fractures closely resembled the behavior of fractures treated with functional braces. Providing that the fibula factor is properly assessed, selected condylar and proximal tibial shaft fractures can be successfully treated by nonsurgical means including early knee motion in a brace followed by graduated weight-bearing ambulation.