[Results of conservative treatment of transverse fracture of the distal tibia and fibula in children].

66 children who were admitted to the Surgical Department of the University Children's Hospital in Zurich because of transverse fracture of the distal tibia and fibula were followed up. They were treated conservatively by reduction followed by immobilization in a plaster of Paris cast reaching to the upper thigh; the foot was placed in the equinus position. Perfect axial reposition should be aimed at. If this cannot be achieved, a varus deformity of up to 6 degrees, a valgus deformity of up to 10 degrees and antecurvation of up to 10 degrees are permissible, as this malposition usually cures itself in time. If the malformation exceeds the limits described above, operative reduction and fixation should be carried out in children over 12 years of age. All children with malposition must be followed up for a long time to observe whether the malposition will gradually disappear and to ascertain whether static difficulties will occur and may have to be corrected by osteotomy.