ABSTRACT
This chapter analyses the epidemiology of tibial fractures in the elderly aged ≥65 years and the super-elderly aged ≥80 years. It discusses why surgeons choose particular treatment methods and how successful these methods are. The chapter presents fibular fractures in the elderly that are not associated with proximal tibial or ankle fractures. Tibial fractures have always interested orthopaedic surgeons. Isolated fractures of the fibula are rare. Most fractures of the fibula are associated with fractures of the tibial plateau or ankle fractures. Open tibial fractures are very common in the elderly. The classification system most commonly used for tibial diaphyseal fractures is the AO/Orthopaedic Trauma Association system. Plating was formerly a very popular method of treating tibial diaphyseal fractures in younger patients but it was associated with relatively high non-union and infection rates and it was largely replaced by intramedullary nailing in the 1980s and 1990s. Tibial periprosthetic fractures are usually classified using the system developed by Felix et al.
