Fibular nonunion after fixation of the tibia in lower leg fractures.

In 335 extraarticular tibial-fibular fractures treated by open reduction of the tibia, nonunion of the fibula was noted in 15 cases (4.5%). Four of these cases were symptomatic, but resection of the hypertrophic nonunion provided relief of pain. Fixation of the fibula is not necessary in primary treatment of extraarticular lower leg fractures.