Classification of Chapman for Fracture of the Tibial Shaft

Location

Type of Fracture

Type

middle

transverse or short oblique

A

middle

small butterfly fragment

B

middle

large butterfly fragment

C

middle

segmental comminution

D

middle

spiral

E

proximal one quarter

transverse or oblique

F

distal one quarter

transverse or oblique

G

Type

Management

A

usually stable in plaster cast or brace; may require fixation if widely displaced initially or difficult to hold

B

stability depends on surface area of cortical contact of main fragments; unstable with need for fixation if contact area is less than 50%

C

stability depends on surface area of cortical contact of main fragments; unstable with need for fixation if contact area is less than 50%

D

unstable, always requires fixation

E

usually stable in plaster cast or brace; may require fixation if widely displaced initially or difficult to hold

F

usually stable in plaster cast or brace; may require fixation if widely displaced initially or difficult to hold

G

usually stable in plaster cast or brace; may require fixation if widely displaced initially or difficult to hold