Biomechanical assessment of the support ability of the lower limbs in patients with fractures of the bones of the lower leg in the treatment of transosseous osteosynthesis

In 17 patients with diaphyseal shin fractures treated by transosseous osteosynthesis the weight bearing ability was studied at standing and walking. Immediately after transosseous osteosynthesis in all patients the weight bearing was shown to be present both at standing and at walking with crutches. Then the weight bearing load on the operated limb at standing was increased to a greater degree compared to the duration of weight bearing on the operated limb at walking. By the end of fixation period the load of weight bearing on the operated limb at standing was almost normal, but the time of weight bearing on the operated limb remained 1.6 times below the norm. The stages of weight bearing ability were distinguished as following: I-st stage - adaptation (immediately after operation up to 1.5 months), ІІ-nd stage -stabilization (from 1.5 months to the end of fixation period). The period from 1.5 months ±0.2 months after operation was conditionally defined as the beginning of weight bearing ability.