[The Sarmiento method as a conservative treatment of tibial fractures (author's transl)].

We have treated 77 tibial fractures according to Sarmiento's principles. This technic was applied two weeks after the initial time of the fracture, and allowed a total weight bearing with complete joint mobility. It needed a functional below-the-knee brace which ends on the knee like a PTB prosthesis. The role of soft tissues (periosteum and interosseous membrane) was important to be considered in the stabilisation of fractures. The results were satisfactory, healing times being comparable to those observed after other orthopaedic methods. Sarmiento's method seems worthwhile because of it's innocuity, effectiveness and the quality of the final result. It realises an important progress compared with the usual Boehler's method. Nevertheless indications have to be discussed for compound fractures and according to the soft tissues damages.