[Nailing for alignment combined with the Sarmiento method. An interesting combination in the treatment of unstable diaphyseal fractures of the tibia].

The authors have reviewed 51 cases of unstable fracture of the tibia treated by nailing followed 3 weeks later by bracing using the Sarmiento technique. The results confirmed the basis of Kuntscher nailing with reaming. This combination of two techniques can rival more sophisticated techniques such as locked nailing. Several complications were noted - one sepsis, one non-union, two malunions and one shortening of 2 cms.