Spontaneous healing of a massive tibial cortical defect.

This case report describes the spontaneous healing of a 20-cm massive tibial cortical defect. The defect was created during debridement of necrotic bone and soft tissue in a low-velocity gunshot wound of the tibia that became infected in a skeletally mature patient. The patient was treated in an external fixator and had a soleus flap to provide soft-tissue coverage. He had refused any surgical reconstructive options. Despite the absence of surgical reconstruction, his tibia healed, and he returned to full activity without any orthotic device 9 months after the original injury.