Bifocal fractures of the tibia and fibula. Incidence, classification and treatment.

We report the results of a three-year study of bifocal fractures of the tibia and fibula, excluding segmental shaft fractures. In our whole series, these formed 4.7% of all tibial diaphyseal fractures. We describe three groups: bifocal fractures of both the proximal and the distal joint surfaces, fractures of the shaft and tibial plateau, and fractures of the shaft and ankle. These groups of fractures had different characteristics and prognoses. We discuss treatment protocols for each of these three groups.