Skiers' lower leg shaft XXXX . Outcome in 91 cases treated conservatively with Sarmiento's brace.

@entity1 @entity158 @entity3207 @entity174
We report our experience using Sarmiento's method for the conservative treatment of 91 consecutive @entity174 of the lower leg. The mean age of the @entity1 in our series was 34 years. One @entity1 had an open @entity174 . All of the @entity1 were followed and were evaluated clinically and radiographically 6 to 12 months after injury. After a period of immobilization by traditional methods (traction/long leg cast), the Sarmiento brace was applied at a mean of 42 days, allowing early weightbearing and mobilization. The brace was removed at a mean of 90 days. Clinical results were excellent; there was minimal persistence of knee or ankle limitation; 84% of the @entity1 had less than 5 mm of final @entity3207 ; 96% had less than 4 degrees of final angulation. Work was resumed at a mean of 103 days. We had one nonunion, which we treated operatively 6 months after injury by osteosynthesis and autologous bone grafting. All of the @entity1 were asked to complete a questionnaire; 51% responded, with an average followup of 5 years (range, 1 to 10 years). These @entity1 had been able to resume sports activity 8 months after injury; 52% were skiing 1 year after injury, and 96% were satisfied with the treatment method used. One @entity1 complained of persistent @entity158 .
