Treatment of delayed union or non-union of the tibial shaft with partial fibulectomy and an Ilizarov frame.

We reviewed 28 patients treated with partial fibulectomy combined with an Ilizarov compression frame for a non-infected tibial delayed union or non-union. Patient data, time to referral, type of fracture (open or closed), type of non-union (atrophic or hypertrophic) and period of treatment were recorded. Neither time to referral, type of fracture or type of non-union did adversely affect the duration of treatment. Only smoking was found to have a negative influence on the healing time. There were no major complications associated with the treatment and all fractures united except one. We conclude that partial fibulectomy combined with an Ilizarov frame is a reliable method for the treatment of tibial delayed and non-union.